Roger Brian made a start on his winter wheat at Park Farm, Hanbury, Worcestershire, yesterday (1 August), with disappointing results.

“It’s not very good – it’s a second wheat and the dry weather didn’t help things.” So far the Scout had yielded 6.9-7.4t/ha (2.8-3t/acre).

“But the first wheats don’t look too bad.”

Cabernet oilseed rape, on the other hand, was surprisingly good, said Mr Brian. “It hardly had a drop of rain from February through to flowering, but still came in at 4.6t/ha (1.86t/acre).”

Coming off at about 9% moisture, three of the nine loads had to be dried, he added.

“It was planted on 2 September at a seed rate of 4-4.5kg/ha (1.6-1.8t/acre), and had four fungicide treatments and two fertiliser applications.

“It looked well all the way through – and I forward sold it at £300/t so I’m pretty happy.”

Mr Brian also had some Osprey rapeseed to cut, but as it was grown for seed, he had to leave it to ripen naturally. “It’s nearly ready.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Scout
Yield: 6.9-7.4t/ha (2.8-3t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Cabernet
Yield: 4.6t/ha (1.86t/acre)