Early concerns over wheat protein levels

Covering Dorset and Somerset, Frontier regional sales manager Russell Dean says although yields in his area are down on last year’s high levels, it is not unusual to see wheat yields of 9-11 tonnes/hectare.

Although few samples have been through the lab yet, on-farm testing is showing specific weights of 80kg/hl. “This is where the yield is coming from – good specific weights. But we are seeing variable protein; although it is a bit early to gain a true picture. Where farms are expecting 13 per cent for Group 1s, for example, some are getting 12.5 or 12 per cent.”

The variable protein levels could be explained by dilution due to yield, a wet early spring leading to leaching of nitrogen and the subsequent dry spell meaning the crop was unable to take up the nitrogen available to it, suggests Mr Dean.

Spring barley is also beginning to be harvested in the area with one example of a yield of 7.5t/ha, 95 per cent retained over a 2.5mm screen and nitrogen from 1.6-1.7 per cent: “Spot on,” he says.

However, there are secondary tillers in some crops which could be a challenge at harvest, he says. “The maturity is quite variable because of the secondary tillers and varies from field to field. Spring barley could be a protracted harvest.”