False start at Wigborowick Farm

Guy Smith attempted to start combining oilseed rape at Wigborowick Farm, St Osyth, Essex, today (19 July), but found it was not yet ripe.

“There were too many red seeds in it – I think it might be ready on Wednesday. It looks moderate, but you can’t tell until you get the combine in,” he said.

“I hear there has been some barley cut in the area, but most rape won’t be ready until the end of the week.”

Almost an inch of rain last week had done little to help the crops, as it was too late to do much good, said Mr Smith.

“On the gravel ground our wheat looks very poor – but on the rest of the land it doesn’t look too bad.”