Paul Hartley is combining winter wheat today (12 August) at Poplar Farm, Downham Market, Norfolk, and is pleased with both yields and quality.

“We’ve cut about 30% of our crops, and it’s all going quite well,” he said. However, variable ripening meant he had to keep switching between oilseed rape and wheat.

“We had Troy, Compass and one other that have all yielded about the same, at 5.5t/ha – but we’ve only cut the good stuff, so we’ve got some rubbish left to come.”

So far Mr Hartley had cut 60ha of his own rapeseed, plus 100ha of a neighbour’s, leaving about 40ha left to do. Oil contents had been good so far, at 45.8%.

Wheat yields had also been very pleasing, with 69ha of Scout, Gallant and Cordiale ranging from 9.57t/ha to 10.8t/ha, with bushel weights around 80kg/hl.

“It’s a lot better than last year – and protein contents appear to be good, too, so we’re happy.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Mixed
Area: 160ha
Yield: 5.5t/ha

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Mixed
Area: 69ha
Yield: 9.57-10.8t/ha