A year when crops were 'almost very good'

The 2017 harvest will most likely go down as the year where crops were ‘almost very good’, but the recent hot, dry spell of weather has meant that some have tripped at the last hurdle.

Although too early to comment on the performance of many crops, reports that I’ve heard of winter barley are generally that yields are a decent average.

Many are reporting that there is a terrific straw crop, usually an indication of good potential as a very high yielding grain crop. However, this has been impacted by the recent lack of moisture and the very high temperatures which has meant that the crops have senesced very quickly.

Growers are still reporting decent yields, but inevitably the recent conditions have just taken the gloss off the crops.

From the early results that I have seen, growers are averaging 2.5 to 3.25 tonnes/acre, which is an improvement on the 2016 harvest, but isn’t as good as what growers experienced the year before, and potentially what could have been.

There have been some varieties recording exceptionally good yields of around four tonnes/acre. These have been seen in Bazooka six-row hybrid and the two-row variety Surge.

Soil type has definitely had a big impact on crop performance this season, rather than variety choice, with crops on any ground that has held onto moisture performing well.

Specific weights are again variable, with reports ranging from the mid 50s to low 70s. The two-row variety Surge has recorded the best specific weight that I’ve heard so far, at 71.4kg/hl but most are around 64kg/hl. Again, here the soil type is possibly a bigger factor than the variety.

At the beginning of the season I did think that the Hybrid barley crops would perform well as they suited the demanding conditions, however, early reports indicate that crops are good for some but don’t have the consistency of performance that I had hoped for.

I feel this year is going to produce a variable mixed bag of yield results, but the very early harvest will certainly have benefits for us all.

On-farm there should be an opportunity get on top of work load and allow for timely establishment of oilseed rape and cover crops, while also helping in the battle against grass weeds.

As seed processors, we are looking to get the plant up and running sooner, and if we get access to wheat seed crops a week or so earlier than we would do in an average year, that will make a big difference.

For more information, contact your local Wynnstay seed specialist or visit, http://www.wynnstayarable.uk/