Jonathan Tipples has finished combining oilseed rape at Reed Court Farm, Marden, Kent, and expects to be into wheat next week.

“The Fashion rapeseed was alright – it did 4t/ha (1.6t/acre) and the oil content looks very good at about 45%.”

Winter wheat would be ready to cut on Monday (1 August), weather permitting. “It looks okay, but it can’t be. Once we get into it we’ll see what damage the drought has done.

“The second wheats have been worst affected.”

Odd pieces of Cordiale wheat had been cut in the area, but mainly on light soil where it had just died off.

“There’s absolutely nothing any of us could have done about the weather. Hopefully everyone’s expectations were so low that they all be pleasantly surprised.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Fashion
Yield: 4t/ha (1.6t/acre)