Over halfway through at JV Farming
Tim Merry is over halfway through harvest at J.V. Farming Ltd, Whitcombe, Dorset, but has been rained off again today (18 August).
The team cut the first 35% of crops within the first week of harvest, taking a further two weeks to cut another 17%, with showers and dull days slowing progress.
“I suspect we will not get cutting again until at least later on Friday,” he said. “If the weather held we would need another fortnight to complete harvest.”
Since finishing the oilseed rape a fortnight ago, they had cut 21ha (52 acres) of Propino spring barley on a neighbour’s farm, which averaged 6.8t/ha (2.75t/acre) over a weighbridge.
At the home farm, 70ha (173 acres) of Quench yielded 6.61t/ha (2.7t/acre).
“We are still cutting another 113ha (280-acre) block of Quench on a neighbour’s farm, with similar yields.”
Wheat had been pleasing, with Cordiale second wheat on a neighbour’s farm doing about 9t/ha (3.6t/acre).
So far, 30ha (74 acres) of the 200ha (500 acres) of Einstein at home was averaging 10.21t/ha (4.1t/acre) over a weighbridge, said Mr Merry. “We’re very pleased with that.
“But while crops have been pleasing, considering the weather over the growing season, it’s frustrating for all involved that it’s turning out to be a damp harvest again, particularly as it was so dry earlier in the year when we wanted the rain.”
However, the strain had been taken out of the usual panic to establish oilseed rape, as the farm was growing maize instead, to feed the new 2MW Anaerobic Digester, he said.
Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Einstein
Area: 30ha (74 acres)
Yield: 10.21t/ha (4.1t/acre)
Variety: Cordiale
Yield: 9t/ha (3.6t/acre)
Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Quench
Area: 70ha (173 acres)
Yield: 6.61t/ha (2.7t/acre)
Variety: Propino
Area: 21ha (52 acres)
Yield: 6.8t/ha (2.75t/acre)
Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Catana
Area: 136ha (336 acres)
Yield: 3.5t/ha (1.4t/acre)
Variety: Sesame
Area: 26ha (64 acres)
Yield: 4.23t/ha (1.7t/acre)
Variety: Fashion
Area: 63ha (156 acres)
Yield: 4.1t/ha (1.66t/acre)
Variety: Cabernet
Area: 21ha (52 acres)
Yield: 4.86t/ha (1.97t/acre)
