Showery weather is proving frustrating at Alan Hind’s Elm Tree Fm, Counthorpe, Grantham, Lincolnshire, but he is managing to cut oilseed rape today (2 August).

“We subsoiled in our Excel oilseed rape and the yields are massive.”

So far, the 140ha (350 acres) of Excel had averaged 4.6t/ha (1.85t/acre) – the same as last year’s good crop, and it was doing well over 4.9t/ha (2t/acre) in places, at just under 11% moisture.

Saffron winter barley yields were about 1.2t/ha (0.5t/acre) below average, at 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) on light land, but the sample was good, he said.

The first 20ha (50 acres) of Zebedee winter wheat, also on light land, was extremely poor, at just 6.4t/ha (2.6t/acre) – well down on the farm’s 8.9t/ha (3.6t/acre) average.

“But prices are up, so we’re not unhappy. And I think the rest of the Zebedee might make 8.9t/ha (3.6t/acre).”

Mr Hind now had 80ha (200 acres) of Excel oilseed rape to finish, followed by 400ha (1000 acres) of Zebedee winter wheat.

“The first cut wheat will just about make the required bushelweight – it was a bit droughted and pinched.

“The rest looks good, but yields are going to be at least 1.2t/ha (0.5t/acre) down for us.”

Many farmers in the area were also being frustrated by the threatening weather, and oilseed rape was taking a long time to die off, he added. “People are desperate to get on but it’s just too green.”

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Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Zebedee
Area: 20ha (50 acres)
Yield: 6.4t/ha (2.6t/acre)

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Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Excel
Area: 140ha (350 acres)
Yield: 4.6t/ha (1.85t/acre)

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Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Saffron
Area: 105ha (260 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)

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