Oilseed rape has exceeded expectations at Andrew Kerr’s Wyldingtree Farm, North Weald, Essex, but the worst is yet to come.

“I think a lot of people have cut their best crops first,” he said. The early-drilled Excalibur had yielded 3.8t/ha (1.55t/acre), but the later-drilled high erucic acid varieties Marcant and Hearty did not look so good.

“We’re not expecting too much from them – I’ll be pleased if we get more than 1t/acre (2.5t/ha).”

With moisture contents at 9.5-12%, Mr Kerr had had to dry all of the oilseed rape, but with hourly showers, was pleased he had cut it when he could.

He finished the 26ha (64 acres) of Sequel winter barley a fortnight ago, which averaged just 8t/ha (3.2t/acre) but produced a nice bold sample at 68kg/hl.

“We had to dry 30% of that, mainly off the headlands.”

Wheat was still about 10 days away, and looked fairly average, he added. “Some of the second wheats look awful – we have got some take-all, and a lack of plants due to flooding in September.”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Sequel
Area: 26ha (64 acres)
Yield: 8t/ha (3.2t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Excalibur
Area: 35ha (87 acres)
Yield: 3.8tha (1.55t/acre)