James Dean was combining rape today (30 July) at Church Farms, Salisbury, Wilts, having finished all the winter barley.

“We struggled with retention on the Flagon – we had one load at just 72% retention and several loads have got £15/t claims,” he said. The 24ha (60 acres) averaged 7.4t/ha (3t/acre).

The 182ha (450 acres) of Cassata averaged the same yield, with better screening rates.

Rape yields were variable, with the Excalibur yielding under 3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre), the Castille making 3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre) and the Astrid only reaching 2.5t/ha (1t/acre).

Mr Dean expected to finish the rape in a day’s time, after which would come oats and spring barley. “I can’t see the spring barley coming until next week.”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Flagon
Area: 24ha (60 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)

Variety: Cassata
Area: 182ha (450 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Excalibur
Area: 131ha (325 acre)
Yield: <3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre)

Variety: Castille
Area: 263ha (650 acres)
Yield: 3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre)

Variety: Astrid
Area: 16ha (40 acres)
Yield: 2.5t/ha (1t/acre)