It has been an above average year in East Sussex for James Fuggle on Chessons Farm, Wadhurst. Hereward wheat yielded ok at 8t/ha, and was of very good quality. But he said everyone had good quality this year and yields are up on last year.

Oilseed rape is also better than last year, with Castille yielding very well. It is the first year he has grown Castille, and plans to grow it again. Canberra yielded lower than he had hoped because of being “weather beaten”.

Pearl barley was variable this year, with nitrogen levels higher than he would have liked. Mr Fuggle said it was difficult to grow barley now as the margins between malting and feed barley are slim, but he continues to grow due to its flexibility for rotations.

Things were going fairly well but he added: “It would be nice to have a higher price.”

• Crop/variety: Hereward winter wheat


• Area: N/A


• Yield: 8t/ha


• Quality: N/A