Oliver Walston has cut two-thirds of his oilseed rape at Thriplow Farm, Cambridge, with yields slightly above his five-year average.

The 80ha (198 acres) of Excalibur was yielding 3.4t/ha (1.4t/acre), he said. “It is rather drier than I’d like to see at between 6% and 7% moisture.

“We will start on the Castille today (21 July) if it is down below 9%.”

Other crops were looking medium to poor. “Thin land wheat is clearly suffering badly, but thank goodness we got 40mm of rain in mid-June during the Cereals event.

“The only bit of good news I can muster is that it has been a long time since we were able to cut this much rape without having to put it through the drier.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Excalibur
Area: 80ha (198 acres)
Yield: 3.4t/ha (1.4t/acre)