Harvest is still almost a week away at David Brightman’s Gaydon Hill Farm, Warwick, with the 57ha (140 acres) of Lioness oilseed rape taking a long time to dry off.

“We sprayed it a week ago last Sunday (13 July) and I think it will take more than two weeks,” he said. “One field doesn’t look bad at all, one is mediocre and one is very patchy.”

After that Mr Brightman had 142ha (350 acres) of Hereward and Solstice first wheat and Einstein second wheat to cut. With three to four weeks before wheat harvest, the season was later than average, he said. “The first wheats are fine, the second wheats are suffering from last summer’s wet weather and compaction.”

The 40ha (100 acres) of Punch winter beans looked very well, he added. “They have podded up pretty well and there’s very little pest and disease.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Area: 57ha (140 acres)
Variety: Lioness

Crop: Winter wheat
Area: 142ha (350 acres)
Varieties: Hereward, Solstice and Einstein

Crop: Winter beans
Area: 40ha (100 acres)
Variety: Punch