Harvest is finally over at Woodhatch Farming, Epping, Essex, with some rather mixed results.

“Tipple spring barley was combined last night (3 September), yielding a measly 3.5t/ha at 13% moisture, even though this was a field previously in grass that hadn’t seen a plough in considerable years,” said farm manager Gareth Wyn-Evans.

“However, on the plus side, Florentine winter barley was combined on 17 August at 15% moisture, and yielded 8.43t/ha with 4t/ha of straw.”

Both crops were grown for feed for the 50 strong herd of pedigree Beef Shorthorn cattle and 300 ewes, so the high straw yield was a welcome addition, he added.

“The Florentine crop saw a return to the plough after a min-till regime to allow incorporation of muck from the livestock enterprises, although none was applied to that particular field.

“It could be considered a one-nil victory to plough enthusiasts, as Cassata winter barley only yielded 5.7t/ha at 15% moisture in 2011 under a min-till regime.”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Florentine
Yield: 8.43t/ha

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Yield: 3.5t/ha @13% moisture