William Grimsdale reclaims the Guinness World Record with a New Holland CR9090
“We read about the recent World Record in the press and we were confident we could do better. Our experience in using two New Holland CR980 combines and our high efficiency approach to cereal production means we are very well placed to take on a challenge like this, and we’re delighted to have been so successful by operating the latest 591hp CR9090,” said Mr Grimsdale, managing director of Mountfair Farming Ltd based in Swinton in Berwickshire, UK, who organised the attempt on the Guinness World Record.
“We captured the Guinness World Record for combine harvesting with an impressive 551.6 tonnes of wheat harvested in eight hours. The record-breaking run, which took place at Castle Heaton Estates in Northumberland on 26th September from 12.50pm to 8.50pm in the evening, improves on the previous record of 532.1 tonnes set on 17th September in Lincolnshire,” tells Mr Grimsdale.
“Operating the CR9090 combine from New Holland, our team harvested 53.5 hectares, achieving an average rate of 68.95 tonnes per hour in Robigus winter wheat. Consuming just 13.3 litres of fuel per hectare, the record highlights the efficiency of the CR9090 combine in a challenge that reflects real-world farming conditions.
“The record took place harvesting three fields of 25ha, 14ha and 20ha which yielded an average of 10.32 tonnes/ha with an average moisture content of 17%. The straw length was between 58 and 63cm and stubble height left was between 20 and 30cm. The loss level throughout the day was a low 0.5%.”
The conditions for harvesting in the North of England this year have been every bit as challenging as other areas of the UK, and at the time of the record attempt, we had to cope with the higher humidity and shorter days experienced at this time of year. “In more favourable conditions, the CR9090 could be expected to achieve an even higher output and could possibly exceed the 600 tonnes level,” says Mr Grimsdale.
During the first three hours of the record attempt the CR9090 was averaging 77.3 tonnes/hour, but this average fell back when more undulating fields with shorter work runs were encountered. Eddie Allan, Manager of the local dealer Lloyd Ltd., stated: “To achieve what they have done with the ground and weather conditions is just remarkable. This proves that the CR9090 is a real winner – we have a number of customers very interested in purchasing one.”
The record attempt was adjudicated by Carlos Martinez of Guinness World Records, who had travelled up to the site in the Borders earlier in the week.
Mountfair Farming Ltd operates more than 2,000 hectares of arable farm land near the Scottish border. In addition to Mr Grimsdale’s own 300 hectare farm, the company provides contract farming and farm management services to local landowners. A simple but very effective system rotating large blocks of wheat, rape and fallow creates a sustainable farming approach, which builds soil fertility and reduces weed and pest burdens as well as inorganic fertiliser and pesticide requirements.
Mountfair Farming Ltd employs just two full-time operators working with a fleet of New Holland tractors, a 12m Simba Horsch Drill and two 430 hp New Holland CR980 combines. Eddie Allan, stated that during the last few years Mountfair Farming Ltd has moved over to New Holland machinery for all of its farming operations. “We need reliable high-capacity machinery; we only get one chance,” explains Mr Grimsdale. “The latest New Holland CR9090 has proven its capability by taking the Guinness World Record, so moving up to this combine is the logical step as our business grows and we continue to offer our clients the most efficient and professional service.”