Richard Brown managed to cut some spring barley over the weekend at Priors Farm, Newbury, Berks, but was rained off again today (18 August).

“We’re well over half way through the spring barley and it’s produced a good sample,” he said. “We haven’t got too many split grains, which has been a problem this year.”

With 20ha (40 acres) left to do, he reckoned yields were above average at 6.8-7.4t/ha (2.75-3t/acre).

Mr Brown and his sons George and Tom had 404ha (1000 acres) of contracting to get into while clearing the barley through the drier, before moving onto their Einstein and Humber winter wheat.

“Most of it’s still standing although a couple of fields have gone down. The second wheat looks very thin and pinched.”

The Astrid oilseed rape had been very disappointing, yielding just 2.7t/ha (1.1t/acre). “It was the worst we’ve grown for 10-15 years.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Astrid
Area: 61ha (150 acres)
Yield: 2.7t/ha (1.1t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Area: 61ha (150 acres)
Yield: 6.8-7.4t/ha (2.75-3t/acre)

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Humber and Einstein
Area: 61ha (150 acres)