James Stafford has got 40ha (100 acres) of wheat to finish at Pickwick Lodge Farm, Corsham, Wilts, and he is also desperate to get on drilling.

“We can’t drill any oilseed rape because the ground is just sodden,” he said. Heavy rain today (5 September) would not help, but he hoped to get on next week.

The wheat cut so far had performed well, with average yields of about 8.9t/ha (3.6t/acre). “The dryer seems to be running all the time and there’s plenty of grain in front of it.”

Although the Einstein had done slightly better, quality was marginal at 180 Hagberg and 10% protein, said Mr Stafford.

Westminster spring barley had yielded a pleasing 6.8t/ha (2.75t/acre), and all went for malting, at 1.6% nitrogen.

Oats were very bold, yielding 6.8-7.4t/ha (2.75-3t/acre), but winter barley on the contract farm went flat and only averaged 4.9t/ha (2t/acre).

The Astrid oilseed rape yielded above average at 4t/ha (1.6t/acre), with an oil content of 43.5%.

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Einstein
Area: 24ha (60 acres)
Yield: 9.1t/ha (3.7t/acre)

Variety: Robigus
Area: 24ha (60 acres)
Yield: 8.9t/ha (3.6t/acre)

Variety: Alchemy
Area: 16ha (40 acres)
Yield: 8.9t/ha (3.6t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Westminster
Area: 49ha (120 acres)
Yield: 6.8t/ha (2.75t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Astrid
Area: 53ha (130 acres)
Yield: 4t/ha (1.6t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Variety: Dalguise
Area: 28ha (70 acres)
Yield: 6.8-7.4t/ha (2.75-3t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Area: 20ha (50 acres)
Yield: 4.9t/ha (2t/acre)