Slowly into spring barley

13 August 2001



Slowly into spring barley

DAVID CHICK, combining on Monday (13 August) at Sixpenny Handley near Blandford Forum in Dorset, started Optic spring barley a week ago. “Weve been nipping in between showers to take what we can.”

The crop has been pleasing. 36ha (90 acres) out of 61ha (150 acres) has yielded about 7.4t/ha (3t/acre), which is above the farm average of 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre). “It has looked good all the way, since it was drilled in February.”

The specific weight is 69kg/hl, it has a bold sample and it looks like there are low screenings. “Its been cut at about 18.5%, but it should come down rapidly today.”

Peas, Claire and Soissons winter wheat are all fit, so if the weather permits they shall be combining these this week. Malacca is not quite fit yet. “When it does come fit, we shall move onto it, to safeguard the Hagberg.”

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