Charlie Watson-Smyth had finished wheat harvest in Padstow, Cornwall, with good results. Deben had averaged 8.1t/ha (3.25t/ac) from 60ha (150ac) which he said was quite good for his farm.

Quality was good with decent bushel weights and a nice sample. He also said straw yields were 7.5t/ha (3t/ac). “Down here the straw is worth more so we’re pleased with that.”

Spring barley was very variable with yields from 68ha (170ac) Static ranging from 3.75t/ha (1.5t/ac) on very dry fields to 6.25t/ha (2.5t/ac) on better fields. Where yields were better, quality was very good, but much of the crop was very dry, he said.

Some of the crops had been sold on forward contract –“the lorry has just left the yard” – with the rest of the crops waiting to be committed.

Next year he planned to grow 40ha (100ac) of both winter barley and winter wheat, plus 140ha (350ac) of spring barley. “We’ll be growing a lot more spring barley next year but will stick to all the same varieties of crops.”

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Deben
• Area: 60ha (150ac)
• Yield: 8.1t/ha (3.25t/ac)
• Quality: N/A

• Crop: Spring barley
• Variety: Static
• Area: 68ha (170ac)
• Yield: 3.75-6.25t/ha (1.5-2.5t/ac)