Today we are talking to Rod Smith, who farms in Northumberland, and Agrii agronomist Sam Brand.

Having achieved a world record yield in 2015, Rod talks about what limits yield, how changes in farming techniques impacts crop potential and what he has learned and changed on his farm ready he hopes to achieve another breaking yield.

Rod Smith & Sam Brand on Yield and Crop Resilience

How Did the Crops Perform This Year on Bale Farm?

Rod Smith:
To be perfectly honest, considering the weather, they've been okay. The wheat averaged 10.96 tonnes, the oilseed rape yielded 4.9, and spring barley was at 6.45 tonnes. It wasn’t great, but considering the conditions, it was quite pleasing overall.

Remind Us of Your World Record Achievement and the Variety You Grew

Rod Smith:
The world record was 16.52 tonnes per hectare in 2015, and the variety we grew was Dickens.

What Was Your Target for This Last Growing Season?

Rod Smith:
We were aiming for the top ten, but decided to enter a field of Champion into the Yield Enhancement Network. It did about 15 tonnes per hectare, but the weather played a huge role, and the adjudicators thought it could have been an 18-tonne crop.

Sam, What Was the Bigger Picture in Northumberland?

Sam Brand:
Despite challenging weather, cereals in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders performed surprisingly well. Wheat yielded well, but oilseed rape was generally back on yield compared to last year due to hot and dry conditions in June, along with wet weather in July and August, which contributed to some seed loss.

Rod, What Limited Your Yield Potential This Year?

Rod Smith:
I think we overcooked the fertilizer, and Champion has a tendency to lean. Despite a full PGR program, the weather didn’t help. March was the wettest on record, and we had dry periods with around 25% less solar radiation, which also affected yield.

How Do You Build Resilience into Your Farm's Performance?

Rod Smith:
It’s challenging with heavier land, but we’ve decided to focus on building resilience in our soils. I’ll talk more about that as we go along.

Sam, What’s the Starting Point for Building Resilience in Crops?

Sam Brand:
There are several factors, but paying attention to soil health, seed variety, and correct drill timings is key. Consistently higher yields come from good soil care, early drilling with appropriate varieties, and managing inputs carefully.

Rod, How Are You Building Resilience on Your Farm?

Rod Smith:
We’ve started using farmyard manure, but we've switched from cattle muck to pig muck due to the challenges of grass weed seeds. Cover crops are another major focus. They help with soil structure, and we’ve learned not to delay getting them in—treating them as a main crop is key to improving soil resilience.

Sam, What Issues Have You Seen with Farmyard Manure?

Sam Brand:
Using farmyard manure can bring grass weed problems, especially with a grass-fed system. Cover cropping has helped mitigate this, improving weed control and soil health in the process.

Rod, What’s the Importance of Attention to Detail in Farming?

Rod Smith:
We’ve moved away from ploughing because it caused compaction and poor soil health. Now, ten years down the line, our soil is more aerated, has better structure, and the worms are doing their work. This attention to detail in soil health has improved everything.

How Does It Feel to See These Changes on Your Farm?

Rod Smith:
It’s incredibly satisfying to see the improvements we’ve made over the years. You need patience to give changes time, but now, the soil looks and smells better, and it’s much easier to walk across the fields. It’s been worth the effort.

Sam, What Are You Seeing on Other Farms in Terms of Soil Management?

Sam Brand:
Many farms are reducing soil disturbance and incorporating compost and manure, improving soil structure and organic matter. This leads to better water infiltration, nutrient availability, and overall soil health.

Rod, Tell Us About Your Cover Crop Trials

Rod Smith:
We’re experimenting with cover crops like radish and phacelia to improve soil health, and we’ve found that direct drilling into these cover crops has been beneficial. While we’re still experimenting, the results look promising.

Looking Ahead, What Are Your Plans for the Next Growing Season?

Rod Smith:
We’re going to keep drilling later, around the first or second week of September, to reduce disease pressure. We’ve switched to a direct drill system and are focusing on shallow cultivation to manage weeds. Patience is key—waiting for a good weed flush before spraying and rolling.

Would You Describe Your Farming Techniques as Regenerative or Traditional?

Rod Smith:
A bit of both. We’re using cover crops and muck to feed the soil while minimizing soil movement. Some purists might disagree, but we believe mixing in compost as a starter fertilizer benefits the following crops.

How Do You Maintain Such a Strong Grasp on What’s Happening on Your Farm?

Rod Smith:
By walking the fields regularly and using tools like spades to check the soil structure. We’ve noticed a big improvement—masses of wormholes, better drainage, and soil that’s easy to work. We’re setting up the building blocks for future generations.

Are You Seeing an Improvement in Farm Profitability?

Rod Smith:
Yes, definitely. For example, fuel usage has dropped significantly with reduced cultivations—down from 25–30 liters per hectare to 7 liters. This has had a huge impact on the bottom line.

Sam, What Are Your Key Messages for Growers?

Sam Brand:
Consider moving to a reduced tillage system and seek advice before doing so. Incorporate manures regularly to improve soil health, and be strategic with crop variety and drilling times to manage disease pressures and improve yields.

Rod, What Advice Would You Share with Fellow Farmers?

Rod Smith:
Don’t be afraid to try new things, but be patient. Climate change is a reality, and we need to adapt. Working with livestock farmers and using resources like digestate can help us manage soils more effectively and ensure long-term sustainability.