Finishing up at Templemans Farm

Edward Parsons is busy driving the combine and plans to finish harvest by close of play today (28 August) at Templemans Farm, Redlynch, Wiltshire. 

“We’re quite pleased really – we’ve seen some exceptional yields and we’re hitting targets,” he said. 

The 80ha of Claire winter wheat was the best, reaching 9.9t/ha with a bushel weight of 80kg/hl.

“It looked healthy from start to finish and we’re delighted with yields,” said Mr Parsons. “We drilled it on 15 September last year and it’s clear drilling dates and conditions made all the difference.”
 
Cordiale winter wheat also performed well, with a bushel weight around 82kg/hl and hitting milling quality.

“Moisture wasn’t a problem, coming off the field at around 16.5%. We still put everything through the drier, but only for a short time.”

Tipple spring barley also reached malting quality, testing at 1.98% nitrogen, with yields at 7.2t/ha and bushel weight of 68kg/hl.

The Cabernet oilseed rape yielded a pleasing 3.7t/ha, coming off the field at 10.5% moisture.

“We’ve gone with Cabernet for four years now and would recommend it to anyone,” said Mr Parsons. “It’s never looked anything fantastic, but the yields are always surprisingly brilliant.”

But Camelot was less exciting, falling well behind the Cabernet and not in Mr Parson’s plans for next year.

“It’s clear the success of this year’s crops depended on how people got on with drilling last autumn; so we’re well underway with drilling next year’s oilseed rape crop,” he said.

“As long as conditions stay good we should all be finished by the end of next week. For the first time in five years we’re really on top of things.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Claire and Cordiale
Area: 121ha
Yield: 9.9t/ha

Crop: Winter oilseed rape
Varieties: Cabernet
Area: 97ha
Yield: 3.7t/ha

Crop: Spring Barley
Varieties: Tipple
Area: 91ha
Yield: 7.2ha