Oilseed rape yields are about average, according to Ben Atkinson, who started combining early varieties yesterday (19 July).

So far, Mr Atkinson had cut 24ha (60 acres) of Excalibur at Grange Farm, Rippingdale, Lincolnshire, with yields at just over 4.4t/ha (1.8t/acre).

“Yields are about on the five-year average, but perhaps 10% down on the past two years, when we sold over 4.9t/ha (2t/acre), which was exceptional.”

Later varieties were still some 10 days away from ripening, leaving Mr Atkinson 826ha (2040 acres) to cut. “The forecast isn’t great for the end of the week.”

Wheat yields were also likely to be about average, he said. “I don’t think we’ll have any shining yields – on the lighter parts of the farm the wheat died off quite early.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Excalibur
Area: 24ha (60 acres)
Yield: >4.4t/ha (1.8t/acre)