Good wheat yield on chalk

4 September 2001



Good wheat yield on chalk

Berkshire Downs Farmer Chris Nash, near Wantage, has had pleasing yields for wheat on chalk land. Out of 850ha (2100 acres) of combinable crops by one combine, only 20ha (50 acres) of Savannah wheat and 25ha (60 acres) of Espace peas remain.

Feed wheat Savannah has been the main variety of wheat this year. It has yielded 10.4t/ha (4.2t/acre), which is above the average 9.3t/ha (3.75t/acre). However wheat of contracted sand soil only yielded 6.8t/ha (2.75t/acre), “this was a disaster.”

Quality wheat Soissons was combined earlier. “This was good with 14% protein, all the Hagbergs over 250 and bushel of 79Kg/hl.” Most of the wheat has been successful, with Claire and Consort awaiting analysis. Only a trial crop of Genghis was disappointing.

“Combining quite an acreage has pushed us to the limit, and had we not had an extra 400 acres this year, we may have got the quality a bit better.”

Optic spring barley yielded 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre). “This is slightly below average but considering it was planted late, it was pleasing. It looks like a good sample.”

“Espace peas have yielded 2t/acre (5t/ha), which is not bad. We dont grow them every year.

“Overall Im quite pleased with the way harvest has gone after the awful winter we had. I really cant complain.”

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