A record-breaking oat yield of 11.46 t/ha has won Lincolnshire farmer Mark Popplewell gold at the 2025 Yield Enhancement Network (YEN).
The more than double the national average yield achieved by Happy Days Farming, was credited to the oat variety Merlin, as well as precise nutrition, and an unusually wet spring. “The numbers were so high we thought the equipment was faulty,” said Mark. “The grain tank was filling faster than even a strong wheat crop.”
This was Happy Days Farming’s first oat harvest, planting 300 hectares of Merlin oats in late March after a wet winter. With advanced seed treatment, growth regulators, and optimised fertiliser application, yields reached up to 14 t/ha in some areas.
“We’ll grow more Merlin in 2025 as it fits well in our rotation,” said Mark, who manages 2,000 hectares of arable land and ‘B&B pigs’.
Seed and grain specialist Cope Seeds launched Merlin in 2021 and MD Gemma Clarke says the result highlights the importance of investing in new varieties. “Resilient seed varieties are critical as farmers face increasing challenges from climate change and unpredictable weather.
“We are thrilled with how Merlin has been performing for farmers across the UK showing its strengths across a range of different seasons. It really is a consistent and reliable variety, with huge yield potential as demonstrated by Mark.
“It’s one of only two spring varieties on spring oat contracts. It’s an early variety (-2), offers a competitive lodging score of 8, and has a high rating of 7 for mildew. It also has low screenings which is a real bonus to the mills and a good specific weight.”
The highest cereal yield was achieved by current winter wheat and winter barley world-record holder Tim Lamyman, who achieved a winter wheat yield of 15.6t/ha. Silver went to David Passmore of Oxfordshire with a crop yielding 13.1 t/ha.
Tim also excelled in the winter barley category, with a yield of 14.6 t/ha.
