Still under wraps near Habrough
Chris Hewis has not combined for a week at The Grange, Habrough, Lincolnshire, and wheat quality is starting to suffer.
“The 2ha (5 acres) of Grafton for seed was ready to go last Friday (5 August), at 15.8% moisture, but by the time the combine was ready it was raining, and it’s been raining ever since.”
The wheat, including Diego first wheat and Duxford second wheat, was starting to lose its bright colour, he said. “The higher bushelweight will have gone.”
Mr Hewis had finished his Flagon winter barley, which averaged 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre). “It was a nice sample but the nitrogen was too high for malting, at 2.1%, so it’s all gone for feed.
“The timing of our fertiliser application was bad, because it was so dry it didn’t wash in. Then when it did rain the nitrogen just went straight to the grain.
“But we’ve still got straw left out where the barley was; we just can get it baled.”
Oilseed rape yields had been pleasing, and high oil contents had yielded an extra £25/t bonus. “That’s worth having.”
The 55ha (135 acres) of Tipple spring barley also looked well. “It looks much better than it deserves to, given the dry spring. I’m quite excited about getting started on that.”
Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Expower
Area: 11ha (28 acres)
Yield: 4.3t/ha (1.75t/acre)
Variety: Excalibur
Area: 31ha (77 acres)
Yield: 4.7t/ha (1.9t/acre)
Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Flagon
Area: 55ha (135 acres)
Yield: 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre)
