- Lincolnshire farmer Mark Popplewell has won gold at the 2025 Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) awards for achieving a record-breaking oat yield of 11.46 t/ha, more than double the national average.
The impressive 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’.
Gemma Clarke, Managing Director of seed and grain specialist COPE, who launched Merlin to the market in 2021, highlighted the importance of investing in new varieties. “Resilient seed varieties are critical as farmers face increasing challenges from climate change and unpredictable weather.
“There is no greater feeling than connecting world renowned plant breeders to growers and end markets. 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,” says Gemma.
Merlin oats are accepted by all mills and valued for early harvest, low screenings, high disease resistance and strong yield potential make it attractive to farmers nationwide.
“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,” adds Gemma.
The Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) is an independent knowledge-exchange network allowing farmers to measure and compare their crop performance on 60 different factors – including agronomy decisions and soil health. The network, open again to growers in 2025, encourages members to share ideas, learn from each other, and work together towards better crop yields.
For more on Merlin oats, contact your merchant.
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