Milling wheat proteins holding up well

Milling wheats appear to be yielding better than feed wheats, especially where grown on heavier soils, according to ADAS. In some extreme cases, on very light land and where there has been an almost total lack of rainfall over the last two months, yields of as low as 2.5t/ha (1t/acre) have been reported.

Specific weights are variable with light land crops dropping to 70kg/hl, whilst some crops on heavier land have had specific weight up to 80kg/hl.

Grain protein contents are typically between 13-13.5 per cent, although occasional crops have reached 14.5 per cent.

South Lincolnshire grower, Guy Robson has combined around half of his winter wheat acreage. He says: “Wheat yields have been around 12 per cent down on the year, with crops on our lightest land yielding around 6.6t/ha (2.7t/acre).

“But we have had no problem meeting our milling wheat contracts specifications, with protein contents up to 14.3 per cent,” he adds.

Oilseed rape (OSR) harvest is now underway in northern England and Scotland. According to ADAS, current average yields are between 3.2-3.4t/ha (1.3-1.37t/acre), around 3-8 percent down on the 5-year average of 3.5t/ha (1.41t/acre).

OSR yield data from three AHDB recommended list trials also suggest yields are down with control varieties averaging 4.96t/ha (2t/acre), less than the four-year average of 5.43t/ha (2.19t/acre).

To date, the restored hybrid varieties Alizze (110%), Aquila (107%), Windozz (106%) and the turnip yellows virus resistant variety Architect (106%) have performed well.

On-farm, high temperatures and low moisture levels have caused much of the oilseed rape area to ripen rapidly, leading to reports of red or brown seed.

While there have been occasional reports of low oil contents, most crop are averaging between 44-45 per cent, say ADAS.