Chris Cockayne has been combining winter wheat at Top Brackendale Farm, Cropwell Butler, Nottinghamshire, with oilseed rape not yet ready.

“We tried some spring barley, but that wasn’t ripe either. But the Gallant wheat is not a good crop – we are very disappointed in the yield. It has just died on its feet.

“It’s very difficult to tell the exact yield as we’ve got a new combine and haven’t set the yield meter on it, but it’s probably only just over 7.4t/ha (3t/acre).”

However, quality was excellent, with protein at over 13% and bushelweights at 77-78kg/hl.

Mr Cockayne hoped to finish the 36ha (90-acre) block of Gallant today (30 July), and move onto oilseed rape tomorrow.

“We’ve got some NIAB trials on the farm, and they started combining at about 12% moisture, and it’s down to 8.5% now.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Gallant
Area: 20ha (50 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)