Running late at Rock Farms
Carl Tuer was combining until 3.30 this morning (10 August) at Rock Farms, Alnwick, Northumberland, before being rained off again.
“The forecast was for three days more rain, so we wanted to get as much cut as possible.
“The biggest problem is getting the straw cleared off the fields – it’s been a nightmare as we haven’t had three dry days.
“We cleared some pretty rubbish straw yesterday just to free the field to prepare for oilseed rape.”
So far Mr Tuer had cut 100ha (250 acres) of Pearl winter barley, which had yielded well at 7.9t/ha (3.2t/acre).
“The remaining 60ha (150 acres) was a bit later, and I’d rather cut oilseed rape between the showers because it dries out more quickly, so we moved onto that.”
The Catana had yielded a staggering 5.7t/ha (2.3t/acre) dry into store. “It’s the best rapeseed yield we’ve had, by a long way.
“The oil is high at 47.5%, so it will probably be the most profitable combinable crop I’ve ever grown in my life.”
Mr Tuer started spraying off wheat yesterday, so that would still be at least a fortnight away from ripening, he said.
“It looks very well. I think we’re set for a pretty good year up here, if the weather dries up.”
Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Catana
Area: 100ha (250 acres)
Yield: 5.7t/ha (2.3t/acre)
Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Pearl
Area: 100ha (250 acres)
Yield: 7.9tha (3.2t/acre)
