Camgrain’s Philip Darke received his first lot of winter barley yesterday (10 July). Nitrogen levels of Pearl were low at 1.6 – 1.73% and Flagon was at 1.79%. Yields were reportedly good, however, no fields had yet been completed.

“It is early days still for winter barley. The rain last night means we expect most cutting to start later this week.”

Farmers were generally concerned for their spring barley because of recent heat, but it was still looking big and bold in the fields, he said. The heat had also meant the wheat had been “going off very quickly, but on heavy land in should be fine”.

Mr Darke noted there were differences in crops depending on where people are.

“Some have had chunks of rain, others haven’t, so they will be worse off.”