David Richardson has returned to cutting oilseed rape after starting on winter wheat over the weekend at J. Porter & Son’s Barn Farm, Navenby, Lincolnshire.

“We cut a field of Vision rapeseed yesterday (2 August) at 5.7t/ha (2.3t/acre) and another today at over 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre), but it was still a bit green so we’ve moved to a riper crop.”

Grafton second wheat had yielded a very pleasing 10t/ha (4t/acre), with a bushelweight of 81kg/hl and 3.1t/ha (1.25t/acre) of straw.

“It looked like a 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre) crop in April; it was very thin and dry.”

Rapeseed yields on the farm’s strong soil had also been pleasing. “We only had one poor field, and the soil was 40% sand.”

Cabernet had averaged 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre), with Artoga coming off at 5.2t/ha (2.1t/acre). “The headlands weren’t that clever and the pigeons had had a go at a few acres, so we were quite pleased.”

Winter barley yields were slightly below average, with both Cassia and Retriever averaging 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre) and 72kg/hl.

Mr Richardson now had another 140ha (350 acres) of Vision, Cabernet and Expert oilseed rape to cut, followed by 600ha (1500 acres) of wheat.

“We’re busy cultivating as well, and soil conditions have been extremely good after the rain.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Grafton
Area: 69ha (170 acres)
Yield: 10t/ha (4t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Varieties: Cassia and Retriever
Yield: 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Cabernet
Area: 100ha (250 acres)
Yield: 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre)

Variety: Artoga
Area: 20ha (50 acres)
Yield: 5.2t/ha (2.1t/acre)