High Nitrogen levels in Norfolk

Norfolk farmer Graham Bunn said winter barley harvest was “going very well”, with 81ha of Pearl yielding 7.6t/ha. He was very pleased with bushel weights at 68kg/hl and moisture levels at 14.4%, however he said nitrogen levels were a little higher than he would have liked at 1.75 – 1.9%.

“The target was 1.65%, but we were happy as what we lost in Nitrogen, we gained in moisture.”

He said the crop was to be delivered straight to the Co-op to go on for malting, so he was pleased it met quality spec.

He was also happy it did not need drying: “There were a few immature ears in the tramlines but we are just leaving them on the floor for a bit to dry.”

Mr Bunn expected to finish cutting winter barley by Thursday (20 July), and then start on Cocktail spring barley in a couple of weeks. The spring barley and winter wheats were starting to die off in the heat, and he said he would have to wait to see how they came off.

• Crop: Winter Barley
• Variety: Pearl
• Area: 81ha
• Yield: 7.6t/ha
• Quality: Nitrogen 1.75 – 1.9%, Bushel weight 68kg/hl, moisture 14.4%