Harvest started on Monday (26 July) at Liam and Stevie Robb’s Drumboy Farm, Newton Dunningham, Donegal, Ireland.
“We cut about 4ha (10 acres) of winter barley before we were rained off,” says son Stevie.
“We are just dodging the showers. We did another 4ha (10 acres) yesterday before having to stop again.
“It’s drizzly again this morning – whenever we want to get going it rains.”
Although the area had a dry June, the rain arrived early enough to help the crops, said Mr Robb. “We’ve got a couple of patches where it’s died off, but it’s not too bad.”
Many farmers were combining winter barley in the area, but nothing else was ready yet. “Harvest progress is about average. The bulk of it will start at the weekend.”
Yields were better than expected, but it was too early to tell accurately, he added.