Paul Wilson harvested 188ha (465 acres) of wheat on his farm in Warwickshire – and is glad he kept going at 26% moisture.

He combined 160ha (400 acres) of Malacca yielding a pleasing 9.14 t/ha (3.7 t/acre) with 400 hagberg, but had to stop due to wet weather.

“I harvested the Malacca at 26% moisture, while nearby farmers were questioning my sanity, but in the end it was the best thing we could have done.” 

Mr Wilson also grew the new variety Sokrates with quite pleasing results. It yielded 9.14 t/ha (3.7 t/acre) with Hagberg levels at 302 and 14.6% moisture.

The crop looked good in the field and Mr Wilson said he would be growing it again next year.

But he also has some concerns that millers don’t seem to be too keen on it and he’s also worried about the effects of the rain on the hagberg.

“The hagberg levels are going to be rubbish if the rain carries on. We blanket treated the whole farm. We gave it the full Monty treatment.”

Despite this blanket treatment, he’s been having problems with orange blossom midge.

“Earlier in the year I went to look at the crop and I was worried to death – it looked like it could cause some serious damage.” 

Judging by what’s coming out of the cleaner he predicts he’s lost 2% of yield due to midge damage.

“If that’s the most of it I’m pleased – the problem is that it’s a real job to know what the actual losses are.” 

Mr Wilson is just waiting for the rain to pass, so he can start harvesting his Hereward,

“The combine is sitting in the field, poised to get going when the weather turns.”