Desperate for sun near Kelso
Charlie Stewart is pleased with yields at Merton Estates, St Boswells, Kelso, but is desperate for some dry weather.
“We’re getting some fairly good yields on wheat, but there is a lot that is still in the field. We’d be better if it stopped raining.”
So far, he had cut about 55% of his wheat, having finished winter barley and oilseed rape.
“Winter barley was fairly ordinary, but oilseed rape was the best we’ve ever had, with a lot of fields over 5t/ha (2t/acre).”
Solstice and Gallant milling wheat had come off at about 7.9t/ha (3.2t/acre), with protein contents over 13%.
“But Hagbergs are a bit low, at closer to 150 than 200, so I don’t know if they’ll go for milling.”
Viscount had done extremely well, and most of the feed wheat was yielding over 10t/ha (4t/acre). “We’re quite happy with that, as long as we can get the rest cut.”
Winter oats had yielded 7.4t/ha (3t/acre), but spring oats were yet to be combined.
“We’re just about to start sowing wheat and barley. The ground conditions are getting on the damp side, but we’ve got good emergence on the oilseed rape – that’s all sown and up.”
Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Solstice, Gallant and Viscount
Yield: 7.9-10t/ha (3.2-4t/acre)
