FIRST TIME Cordiale winter wheat, sown into cloddy soil after sugar beet at Horningsea, Cambs, has pleased farm manager Graham Searle.

“Our first 22 acres did 3.8t/acre, which is good considering it went into a very dry seed-bed after discing, pressing and drilling in early October with our Moore Unidrill. Our average last year was 3.77t/acre,” he said.

“The quality too looks good, subject to tests. The specific weight is 80kg/hl.”

With a moisture content of 15% only low volume ventilation has been required, he adds. “It was a bit green in the tramlines.”

Earlier Winner oilseed rape matched the farm’s average yield at about 4t/ha (33cwt/acre), despite coming in exceptionally dry. “That’s acceptable,” said Mr Searle.

“With the cost of fuel as it is we aim to start at 9%, but within three hours it had dropped 2%. But at least that’s an improvement on last year when we were struggling at 13%.”