Harvest had stopped for Farmers Weekly Farmer Focus writer Mark Ireland on Grange Farm, Lincolnshire. Two half days of Optic spring barley cut since Saturday had yielded 5 – 6.5t/ha.

The quality was looking good with 1.5% nitrogen, low screenings, and bushel weight of over 70kg/hl.

These results were similar to last year, but Mr Ireland hoped these were just the poorer fields.

Harvest was very much dependent on the weather, he added, with 18% moisture meaning the crop had to be dried. “It’s a costly exercise with the high diesel price, so we need some dry weather.”

• Crop/Variety: Optic Spring Barley
  
• Area: N/A
  
• Yield: 5-6.5t/ha
  
• Quality: 1.5% nitrogen, bushel weight over 70kg/hl