…ONHARVEST
Anglian barley jitters
CONCERNS are growing for rain-hit spring barleys in East Anglia, pre-germination and dormancy posing a severe risk to the quality of ready-to-harvest crops.
"After non-stop rain for the past three days the crop is now under severe threat," said CamGrains Phil Darke on Tuesday.
"It is a bit of a worry," agreed ADASs John Garstang. "There is a risk if it is not standing and with all this dark, wet weather dormancy could be increasing."
Drilling date seems to be driving pre-germination, early-Feb drilled crops having lost quality, while crops drilled in March and on heavier land were hanging on earlier this week.
"Growers are bringing samples in to check pre-germ to see which crops to cut. Some are already feed," said Mr Darke. *
Where pre-germination has been avoided Optic quality looks good, he added.
…ONHARVEST
Fed up with the weather? Fed up with hearing hard to believe yields and incredible quality claims? Call Chris Horn, our dedicated harvest reporter, on 0208 652 2080 and tell him how it really is in your part of the world. Alternatively you could fax on 020 86524005 or e-mail chris.horn@rbi.co.uk Please dont forget to give us a contact number in case we need to clarify your comments.