John Moss was about 80% through harvest when Farmers Weekly called him today (August 24). That was about normal for Howton

Farm, Saltash, Cornwall, and some of the wheat still wasn’t truly ripe, he said.

The 80ha (200 acres) of Alchemy he had cut over the past two days was “disappointing to say the least”, at 6.2-7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre). “But we have got the best to come.”

The 60ha (150 acres) of Claire had yielded a pleasing 7.4-8t/ha (3-3.25t/acre) and the 243ha (600 acres) of Castille oilseed rape did better than expected at 3.5t/ha (1.4t/acre).

Saffron winter barley outperformed the Sequel, with an overall average of 6.2-7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre). “We’ve just started contract harvesting some spring barley and that looks good, as do the spring oats – they seem to be doing better than the winter oats, which have been very disappointing.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Area: 243ha (600 acres)
Variety: Castille
Yield 3.5t/ha (1.4t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Varieties: Sequel and Saffron
Yield: 6.2-7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre)

Crop: Winter wheat
Area: 140ha (350 acres)
Varieties: Claire and Alchemy
Yield: 6.2-8t/ha (2.5-3.25t/acre)