Winter wheat has excelled itself at Ian Branstone’s Bourton Hill Farm, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.

“It’s produced the best yields we’ve ever had – it’s come off really well.”

The 120ha (300 acres) of Einstein first wheat had averaged 11t/ha (4.5t/acre), he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Although protein was slightly low, it was still making a milling premium at 11.3% protein.

Tipple spring barley had averaged about 7.6t/ha (3.1t/acre) over the combine, but malting quality was variable.

“I sold a load forward which didn’t make malting, and some spot, which did.”

Dalguise winter oats also did well, at 7.4t/ha (3t/acre), but took a long time to ripen. “It was the last crop to cut as the straw was so green.”

Oilseed rape yielded 4.2t/ha (1.7t/acre). “It’s been a very pleasing harvest – it’s just a shame it’s worth nothing.”

Mr Branstone was cutting beans for a neighbour today (11 September), and said there were only really beans left to cut in the area.

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Einstein
Area: 120ha (300 acres)
Yield: 11t/ha (4.5t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Yield: 7.6t/ha (3.1t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Variety: Dalguise
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)