Showers frustrate near Hungerford
Showery weather continues to frustrate harvest at Littlecote Farmcare, Hungerford, Berkshire, but Jonathan Holland is close to finishing the wheat.
“It’s a case of moving a combine 15 miles one way to do an hour or so of combining, while the other crop dries out.”
So far he had cut 364ha (900 acres) of wheat, leaving just 20ha (50 acres) left, plus 69ha (170 acres) of beans and 49ha (120 acres) of linseed.
“But I can’t cut any more wheat because the barn is full and I need to get what is in there dried.”
Solstice on light land came in on budget at 9.1t/ha (3.7t/acre), although it had a lot of green grains in it, said Mr Holland.
Scout yielded the best of the wheat, at 10.4t/ha (4.2t/acre), with Viscount at 8.6-9.1t/ha (3.5-3.7t/acre), depending on soil type.
“Everything is above budget, so I can’t really moan, considering the dry spring and wet summer we’ve had.”
Oilseed rape – half Cabernet and half Excalibur – did extremely well, at 4.9t/ha (1.98t/acre).
“I still think Cabernet is one of the best varieties we’ve ever grown.
“It combined better and matured better than the Excalibur, and the pigeons didn’t seem to want to eat it. I’ve planted more again this year.”
Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Solstice
Area: 123ha (305 acres)
Yield: 9.1t/ha (3.7t/acre)
Variety: Scout
Area: 89ha (220 acres)
Yield: 10.4t/ha (4.2t/acre)
Variety: Viscount
Area: 152ha (375 acres)
Yield: 8.6-9.1t/ha (3.5-3.7t/acre)
Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Cabernet and Excalibur
Yield: 4.9t/ha (1.98t/acre)
