Jonathan Holland is just over half way through his wheat at Littlecote Farmcare, Hungerford, Berks, and yields are proving variable.

Solstice and Alchemy had ranged from below 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) to over 10t/ha (4t/acre), and were averaging about 9.1t/ha (3.7t/acre), he said. “We’re reasonably pleased.”

Quality was not great, with Solstice testing at 11.5-12% protein, 74kg/hl and around 150 Hagberg.

Mr Holland now had about 243ha (600 acres) of wheat to cut, and Alchemy was sprouting in the ear while still showing green straw in the base.

However, he had cut 133ha (330 acres) over the past three days (25-27 August), so was getting on well.

“I am getting very concerned about the rape drilling – we are 10 days behind at least and I would like to get it in over the next four or five days.”

The 385ha (950 acres) of Catana and Excalibur oilseed rape ranged from 2.7-4t/ha (1.1-1.65t/acre), and averaged 3.2t/ha (1.3t/acre).

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Solstice and Alchemy
Area: 283ha (700 acres)
Yield: 9.1t/ha (3.7t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Excalibur and Catana
Area: 385ha (950 acres)
Yield: 3.2t/ha (1.3t/acre)