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Oilseed rape

Yields have ranged from the truly appalling at under 0.5t/ha to over 4t/ha. On the whole though oilseed rape seems to have disappointed many with crops flattering to deceive. This may be because the crop had a very long growing season this year barely hibernating over winter and getting going early in the spring. Spring assessments showed that many crops had a high Green Area Index and received growth regulatory fungicides. However, although disease and lodging was controlled well the resulting thick crops may have been poor interceptors of light and consequently the lower than expected yields.

Winter Barley

Winter barley harvest has been a better than average so far with yields from hybrid 6 rows looking very pleasing. The HGCA/ADAS harvest report shows the early season yields are good ranging from an average of 6.2 t/ha in the East Midlands to 7.6 t/ha in the West Midlands.  In the South West, where most data is available yields have averaged 6.7 t/ha over the last week and have ranged from 5.5 t/ha in crops on light land (Maris Otter) through to over 8.5 t/ha on hybrid and 6 row varieties on chalky soils. There are occasional crops in Shropshire and Worcestershire that have yielded 9.6 t/ha on light soils. However, the price has tumbled to £110/t.

Harvest Results

Submit your own yields to the Farming Online harvest results, now in its sixteenth year. All participants will be entered into a draw for a chance to win an iPad Air.

Click here to enter your results.