Andrew Kerr is combining wheat today (3 August) at New House Farm, North Weald, Essex, with very variable results.

“We’re about halfway through, and yields range from 6.2t/ha to 9.9t/ha (2.5-4t/acre), depending on whether they are second wheats or on lighter land.

“That’s slightly better than I’d expected, although we have got some worse stuff to come.”

With Zircon wheat, sown after potatoes, and Invicta still to come, yields were likely to be about 1.2t/ha (0.5t/acre) below average, he said.

Grafton had averaged about 7.2t/ha (2.9t/acre), with Solstice coming off at 8.4t/ha (3.4t/acre).

“We’re on mostly clay soils here – I have heard some pretty awful stories on lighter land. Even so, with only 19mm of rain from the end of February to the end of May, I’m amazed we’ve got any crop at all in some places.”

Quality so far was good, with none coming off above 16% moisture – although Mr Kerr was waiting to hear sample results for the milling wheat.

“Bushelweights are phenomenal, with the Grafton at 86kg/hl and Solstice at 85kg/hl. But head count is down to 450/sq m versus the usual 550-600/sq m.”

With so much regrowth, Mr Kerr had sprayed off a lot of the wheat. “We’ve spent more on Roundup this year than the past 10, but it was necessary to get an even crop.”

Although he was rained off yesterday morning (2 August), Mr Kerr combined from 6pm until 10pm last night, and was on again with the wheat at 14.5% moisture this morning.

“There are slight concerns that the Hagberg might weaken if the weather does come wet, which is why we’re cracking on as fast as we can.”

He had even pulled out of oilseed rape to combine the wheat. “The rapeseed was barely fit; the Roundup seems to be very slow on it this year.

“And if the weather does turn dodgy, we can get back into the oilseed rape more easily.”

Palmedor rapeseed had suffered from hail damage last month, losing 1-1.5t/ha (0.4-0.6t/acre). “If it hadn’t have been so green we could have lost a lot more. As it is, it yielded 3.1t/ha (1.25t/acre).”

Sesame had been worse affected, losing probably a third of its yield – but that was still to be cut, alongside PR45D05. “Overall, I still think yields will be at or above our five-year average.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Grafton
Area: 20ha (50 acres)
Yield: 7.2t/ha (2.9t/acre)

Variety: Solstice
Area: 61ha (150 acres)
Yield: 8.4t/ha (3.4t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Palmedor
Yield: 3.1t/ha (1.25t/acre)