Scottish borders grower Stuart Fuller-Shapcott said harvest was going too quickly and crops were changing very fast.

He finished cutting 88ha (220ac) of Optic, Cocktail and Oxbridge spring barley yesterday with yields at an average 6.25t/ha (2.5t/ac). But he said nitrogen levels were a little high. “They were right up on the limit but it is going in for malting.”

Screenings were at 3% which he was pleased with on his heavy-land farm.

Mr Fuller-Shapcott was quite pleased with 4.5-4.75t/ha (1.8-1.9t/ac) of oilseed rape. Caracus, Victory and Astrid all yielded above the average of 3.75-4t/ha (1.5-1.6t/ac).

“There was no drying needed and the crop wasn’t too dry like others in the south have seen which is encouraging.”

He was planting oilseed rape as FWi was speaking to him, planning 52ha of Grace, Astrid and Caracus, which was a little more than he had drilled last year.

He expected to start cutting wheat tomorrow which would be very early for his area. “We could have started cutting wheat a week ago if we had not had spring barley.”
 
He added: “I don’t think the crops will be affected by the early timing considering how the spring barley performed. But this will change if we get a downpour this week. Hagbergs will drop.”

• Crop: Spring barley
• Variety: Optic, Cocktail, Oxbridge
• Area: 88ha
• Yield: 6.25t/ha
• Quality: Screenings 3%

• Crop: Oilseed rape
• Variety: Caracus, Victory, Astrid
• Area: 50ha
• Yield: 4.5-4.75t/ha