Paul Bird on the Shrops/Staffs border has finished an average harvest. “It went so-so. We didn’t break any records.”

Robigus performed poorer than Solstice and Einstein but yields from 180ha (450ac) were from 8t/ha (3.2t/ac) at the bottom-end to 8.75t/ha (3.5t/ac). Yields were down on last year but were close to the farm’s average.

“We didn’t know what we hoped for but considering the year it was not too bad. I think the rain in May did as much damage as the heat in July.”

He had not tested any crops for quality but said samples looked good.

Mr Bird was pleased no crops had to be dried at the start of harvest, although the last 28ha (70ac) had to be dried having come in at 20% moisture.

He plans to grow Alchemy, Gladiator and Solstice next year and to drop Robigus because of its poor performance this year.

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Robigus, Solstice, Einstein
• Area: 180ha (450ac)
• Yield: 8-8.75t/ha (3.5t/ac)