Jim Cargill was cutting wheat at Coldstream Farm, Fettercairn, Aberdeenshire, today (2 September), after two days of being rained off.

“Everything looks to be yielding well,” he said. However, it was wet, measuring 20% moisture today.

Having combined 40ha (100 acres) of Cordiale, Mr Cargill had 60ha (150 acres) of Alchemy to finish off.

He had finished the Sequel winter barley, which was average, and the Optic and Appaloosa spring barley, which both did better than average at around 7.4t/ha (3t/acre).

All the Optic had gone for malting at 1.5-1.6% nitrogen, said Mr Cargill. “The later drilled spring barley seemed to be the better quality.”

Oilseed rape was also above average at 3.9t/ha (1.6t/acre).

Most farmers in South Aberdeenshire were now into their winter wheat, while those further north were still combining spring barley, he added.

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Cordiale
Area: 40ha (100 acres)
Yield: > average

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Optic
Yield: > average