Norfolk farmer Graham Bunn is pleased 120ha of Cocktail spring barley made malting specification at 1.4 – 1.5% nitrogen with yields of 6.5t/ha. The crop has already been delivered to malsters and the local co-op.

Ninety hectares of Istabraq winter wheat came in at 15.5% moisture and an average of 9.3t/ha. He said: “This is very encouraging for light land.”

He is very pleased with the bushel weight of 75kg/hl, but despite protein of 9.5 – 10%, he said he did not grow for the milling market. “I grew for the moisture and bushel weights only.”

Mr Bunn was disappointed with the beans which he tried to grow for human consumption and fears they will go for feed. He said he can never get a good sample so expects to replace beans with grass ley for hay.

Harvest has been much easier this year and he said his only problem was the winter barley had to be cut before the straw was fit, although this was common in the area. He added: “Prices aren’t joyous, but the physical reaping has been much better this year.”

• Crop/Variety: Istabraq winter wheat


• Area: 90ha


• Yield: 9.3t/ha


• Quality: 75kg/hl bushel weight, protein 9.5 – 10%, moisture 15.5%

• Crop/Variety: Cocktail spring barley


• Area: 120ha


• Yield: 6.5t/ha


• Quality: Nitrogen 1.4 – 1.5%