Our combinable crop, vining pea and early forage crop harvest is now complete and our results are shown below. The year to date has been one of extremes with a cold winter being followed by a late wet spring and a very hot and dry summer. This weather pattern has inevitably created a range of crop yields and in the chart below we have shown the yield variance in each geographic area and crop type.

In general, better yields have been seen on soil types which are more moisture retentive or where organic manures have been used. We have continued to invest in soil by improving drainage; catch and cover cropping to protect and enhance soil structure; and employing new technology and wider rotation of our crops and livestock.

• The variation in yield within the wheat crop is huge, and almost directly related to soil type, our continued investment in soil has to some degree mitigated the effect of the dry summer weather. 53% of the area was dedicated to Group 1 and 2 varieties and seed with the remainder Group 4. The highest yielding varieties are Graham, Grafton and Kerrin.
• Spring barley is of malting quality with good specific weight and low retentions.
• In line with yields nationally, OSR yields are below expectation. Despite full establishment the crop came to maturity more quickly than normal with small seeds. In general OSR crops are grown on a wide rotation but where this was closer, crop yields were below 3.0t/ha
• Vining Peas were the crop most affected by the heat with some crops not receiving any rain from drilling to vining. Extreme heat reduced flowering and reduced pod numbers. Pea size was also correspondingly small.