Conditions contribute to lower yields


9 August 2001



Conditions contribute to lower yields

RICHARD ORLIK, who farms with his son Mark at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, has combined significant amounts of winter wheat.

Starting two weeks ago, they have combined some Malacca, Hereward and Soissons.

Malacca yielded 6.7t/ha (2.7t/acre). Hereward yielded 6.9t/ha (2.8t/acre) and Soissons was below these.

“We normally expect 7.5t/ha. Were about 25% down on last year,” he said.

The quality is good. Protein is up to 14%; Hagberg is over 300 and specific weight 84Kg/hl. This meets class one milling specification.

Half the farm was drilled with spring crops because winter conditions were so bad, which they normally do not grow.

These were drilled in April and have suffered from drought since. Soil on the farm varies from gravel to heavy clay.

Oilseed rape Maplas yielded 3.5t/ha (1.4t/acre). “This is the same as the last two years, although it dried out a lot.

Wet weather has now stopped further progress on the 162ha (400 acres) of combinable crops.



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