James Murrell started cutting Oakley winter wheat at Willow Farm, South Burlingham, Norwich, on Saturday (16 August).

“It never got below 17% moisture but with the forecast as it was we just wanted to get it in the barn,” he said.

The 5.7ha (14 acres) cut so far had averaged over 11t/ha (4.5t/acre) – above average for the land.

“As soon as the moisture content comes down on the rest it will be ready to go,” said Mr Murrell. With no drying facilities it was important to cut it as dry as possible.

The Pearl winter barley also yielded well, at 8.4t/ha (3.4t/acre), while the late-drilled spring barley suffered from poor emergence and produced just 12t from 2.8ha (7 acres).

Although Mr Murrell’s farm had avoided the worst of the weather, his father’s farm nearby suffered from heavy hail over the weekend, which had flattened a lot of crops in the area, he added.

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Oakley 
Area: 5.7ha (14 acres)
Yield: >11t/ha (4.5t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Pearl
Area: 9.7ha (24 acres)
Yield: 8.4t/ha (3.4t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Area: 2.8ha (7 acres)
Yield: 4.3t/ha (1.7t/acre)