Eric Watson Breaks Own Wheat Yield World Record

Ashburton farmer Eric Watson has taken the Guinness World Record for the highest wheat yield for the second consecutive time, with a staggering 17.398t/ha crop, Andrew Swallow reports for UK magazine, Farmers Weekly.

Watson (pictured left with David Weith – Bayer regional business manager) beat his previous record crop, grown in 2017, of 16.791t/ha.

On average, irrigated wheat crops in New Zealand produce about 12t/ha, and Watson said he has always strived to improve his growing.

“Because of the high wheat yields we can grow on our farm, we are pleased if we see yields increase year-on-year by 100-200kg/ha. So to beat my last crop by almost 600kg/ha exceeded even my hopes,” he said.

Planted in April 2019 and harvested on 17 February 2020, the wheat variety is Kerrin, bred by KWS and supplied by Carrfields Grain & Seed.

Original article by Ed Henderson, Farmers Weekly, July 8, 2020.