Wheat starts to rot in Powys

Wheat was starting to rot in the ear at David Price’s farm at Presteigne, Powys, and he was only half way through the combining.

“It is a disaster – I’m fed up to the back teeth,” he said. “It is starting to sprout – another week and it will not be worth combining.”

The 29ha (72 acres) cut so far had yielded well at 8.9-10t/ha (3.6-4t/acre), and the oats had also been pleasing at 8t/ha (3.25t/acre).

Mr Price managed to cut a few acres of wheat yesterday (8 September) at about 30% moisture. “We could just about travel, and we baled behind the combine – the straw was surprisingly good,” he said.

But a poor forecast meant further combining would still have to be snatched between the showers. “It is just a total kick in the teeth.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Alchemy, Istabraq and Oakley
Area: 29ha (72 acres)
Yield: 8.9-10t/ha (3.6-4t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Variety: Gerald
Area: 28ha (70 acres)
Yield: 8t/ha (3.25t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Saffron
Area: 20ha (50 acres)
Yield: 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre)