Stuart Fuller-Shapcott has only just started cutting winter barley at Sweethope, Kelso, in the Scottish borders.

“We have had monstrous amounts of rain in the past few weeks,” he said. “I am leaving huge ruts with the combine.”

Mr Fuller-Shapcott cut some Pearl on Sunday (17 August) for three hours before being rained off again. It was yielding over 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) and he still had 36ha (90 acres) to cut.

He also had some oilseed rape ready, which had been desiccated for the past three weeks. “I am starting to get concerned about it sprouting.”

The winter wheat and spring barley were not yet ripe, he said.

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Pearl
Yield: >7.4t/ha (3t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Astrid and Grace
Area: 53ha (130 acres)