Brian Coates has been cutting Gladiator second wheat at Croft Farm, Newton Harcourt, Leics, and is disappointed with the results.

“The wheat is inconsistent.” One field yielded well, while another did very badly, for no apparent reason, he said.

Alchemy winter wheat was still standing and showing no signs of sprouting, while the Dalguise winter oats were pleasing in between the showers.

The 80ha (200 acres) of oilseed rape was now in the barn, with Flash yielding well at around 3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre) after drying, said Mr Coates.

He now had 40ha (100 acres) of oats, 40ha (100 acres) of spring beans and 182ha (450 acres) of wheat to cut.

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Flash
Yield: 3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Variety: Dalguise
Area: 40ha (100 acres)

Crop: Spring beans
Area: 40ha (100 acres)

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Alchemy and Gladiator
Area: 182ha (450 acres)