Waiting for rapeseed at Neatham

Daniel Crawford is waiting for oilseed rape to ripen at Neatham Farms, Alton, Hampshire.

“We were rained off when we were desiccating it – but it should be ready by the weekend (31 July),” he said.

So far he had cut 15ha (37 acres) of Cabernet, which had yielded 5.25t/ha (2.1t/acre), with 5ha (12 acres) of Expert averaging 5.38t/ha (2.2t/acre) over the combine.

Despite some severe frosts Mr Crawford had seen no evidence of frost damage or pod losses.

And establishing rape with a subsoiler had significantly boosted yields, he said. “We are very pleased.”

Solstice, Claire and Scout winter wheat looked well on the farm’s heavy ground, and although the Canadian red wheat AC Barrie was unlikely to match last year’s 5.2t/ha (2.1t/acre), it looked well due to irrigation.

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Cabernet
Area: 15ha (37 acres)
Yield: 5.25t/ha (2.1t/acre)

Variety: Expert
Area: 5ha (12 acres)
Yield: 5.38t/ha (2.2t/acre)