The combine is rolling again today (19 July) at Brian and Adam Horsfield’s Great Wilbraham Hall Farm, Balsham, Cambridgeshire, despite a false start last week.

Winter barley proved not to be fit on their first attempt at harvest on Monday (12 July), but is now coming off at 11.5% moisture.

“It’s a bit too dry to be honest, and it’s died off before it could get ripe,” said Adam. “The grain is a little pinched, and the straw is so short we’re cutting at 7km per hour.”

Having only started combining at lunchtime, it was too early to tell its yield, he added.

“Everything seems like it’s going to be ready at the same time – the peas are turning, the rape’s been desiccated, and the wheat is ripening. We’ll probably be finished by August!”