Finishing harvest near Gillingham

Keith Harris has almost finished combining at Silton Manor Farming, Gillingham, Dorset, with some variable results.


“The winter wheat’s up on last year’s yield, but below average,” he said.


The Cocoon, Grafton, and Diego wheat averaged 7-8t/ha, and came off the field at around 17% moisture.


“JB Diego was the outstanding variety, with some of the crop hitting 12t/ha,” said Mr Harris. “We didn’t have to dry much and the quality has been very good.”


He was also very pleased, as the crop may have secured some milling premiums.


VOK spring oats were put in as a replacement for winter wheat and oilseed rape. They yielded a consistent 7t/ha, harvested at below 15% moisture.


“In other years, we would have harvested 120ha of wheat, but the bad start to the season left us with only 70ha,” said Mr Harris. “We moved to spring oats as an alternative and we’re very happy with the result.”


Winter oilseed rape was less pleasing, with 20ha lost completely due to the wet autumn, and very variable yields.


“It went from nothing right up to 4t/ha in places,” Mr Harris said. “As a whole, we think it’s made around 3t/ha.


“All in all, it’s not been a bad year considering the season and we’ll be finished by the end of today (30 August).



Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Cocoon, Grafton and JB Diego
Area: 70ha
Yield: 7-8t/ha



Crop: Spring oats
Varieties: VOK
Yield: 7t/ha



Crop: Winter oilseed rape
Area: 30ha
Yield: 3t/ha



Need a contractor?

Find one now
See more