James Stafford, a former FW Farmer Focus contributor, started his Astrid oilseed rape yesterday (24 July) at Pickwick Lodge Farm, Corsham, Wilts.

“It was a very patchy crop over the winter and we’re in the worst patches at the moment,” he said. The 16ha (40 acres) cut so far, of the 53ha (130 acres) in total, had yielded 2.7t/ha (1.1t/acre) at 8.4% moisture.

Mr Stafford planned to cut the 20ha (50 acres) of feed barley before moving onto the later rape, followed by 28ha (70 acres) of Dalguise winter oats. “They’re lodged in a few places but are looking very good,” he said.

Crop: Oilseed rape
Area: 16ha (40 acres)
Variety: Astrid
Yield: 2.7t/ha (1.1t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Area: 28ha (70 acres)
Variety: Dalguise

Crop: Winter barley
Area: 20ha (50 acres)