Jeremy Walker is pleased to have cut all his oilseed rape and winter barley at Haddon Farm, Bridgwater, Somerset, with further rain falling today (6 August).

“We cut 100ha of rapeseed and barley during the dry spell a fortnight ago, which was really good news,” he said.

“We had another inch of rain last night, and anyone who missed that dry window hasn’t had a chance since then.”

The PR46W21 rape came off at 3.7-4.3t/ha at 7-8% moisture. “It wasn’t as good as last year, when we got 5t/ha; every seed was a bit smaller due to the lack of sun.”

Cassia winter barley yielded quite well on the home farm, at 8t/ha, and 13.5% moisture.

“But the bushel weight wasn’t good, at 60-61kg/hl – it would have yielded better if it had fuller berries,” he added. “But we use most of it ourselves, so that’s alright.

“And there was a nice lot of straw, which we have managed to bale and get off the field.”

Mr Walker now needed seven to 10 days’ sun to ripen his wheat. “We’re trying to catch up on second cut hay and silage for people in the meantime, to get it out of the way.”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Cassia
Yield: 8t/ha

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: PR46W21
Yield: 3.7-4.3t/ha

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