Jeremy Walker looks to oilseed rape after winter barley

Jeremy Walker had finished his winter barley at Haddon Farm, Bridgwater, Somerset, and was waiting for his oilseed rape to ripen despite the rain.

“We had a bit of rain yesterday and more this morning (29 July),” he said. “Although the rape seed is reasonably ripe the straw is so green it’s making it difficult to start combining it direct.”

The 17ha (43 acres) of Saffron winter barley had yielded extremely well at almost 9.9t/ha (4t/acre) and nearly 70kg/hl. “It’s the best crop we’ve ever grown.” It had also produced 4.9t/ha (2t/acre) of straw, which Mr Walker was loading today.

“It’s added another £250/ha (£100/acre) so we’re quite pleased with that.” He was planning to sow the fields with stubble turnips today to graze sheep on later in the year.

After that would come the 65ha (160 acres) of rape, and wheat, which was 10-14 days away, he said.

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Saffron
Area: 17ha (43 acres)
Yield: 9.9t/ha (4t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Area: 65ha (160 acres)