Wiltshire mixed farmer David Irvine has been growing Somtri spring triticale on Cotswold brash, since 2016. The land was failing to deliver decent yields with wheat or barley due to the hot, dry weather, and triticale has not only thrived in these conditions, it has provided a good amount of high-quality straw.
“In 2016 the triticale yielded more than 9t/ha, which was about 1.85t/ha more than the barley we planted the same year,” Mr Irvine said. “In 2017, we decided to plant more Triticale, which totalled 121ha, and we haven’t looked back.”
Mr Irvine’s triticale yielded 8t/ha this harvest, which was by far the best performing crop in a tough year.
“The triticale saved me in what’s been a difficult year, because it yielded well and it provided much-needed straw for the animals,” he said. “We baled 3.5-4.0 bales per acre of triticale and next to no straw for the wheat or barley.
“With the hotter summers we seem to be having, the triticale performs well, and seems to like the dry weather. It’s a crop we will always grow on dry land.”
Somtri triticale is known as the livestock farmer’s choice, and is exclusively brought to market by Cope Seeds and Grain.
The company’s managing director, Gemma Clarke, is clear that Somtri has numerous benefits to farmers.
“Somtri is a variety that we’ve had for a number of years, which consistently performs each year both organically and conventionally producing bold grain with high specific weights,” she said.
“Somtri is a tall variety and provides good yields of straw, especially when compared to Trimour and Dublet.”
For more information visit: https://copeseeds.co.uk/.
