Chris Harrold is about a quarter of the way through his winter wheat at Docking Farm, Norwich, and yields have been excellent.

“The wheat appears to be phenomenal,” he said. “If we can get it we’re looking at our best harvest since 1985.”

Mr Harrold was combining at about 20% moisture, and hoped to average about 9.9t/ha (4t/acre).

“It’s an expensive, slow job drying it, but it’s all standing quite well so it hasn’t taken any harm yet.”

He finished the Westminster and Oxbridge spring barley on Saturday (16 August), with yields of about 7t/ha (2.8t/acre) – 10-15% above average. Malting quality was also excellent.

Winter barley was also pleasing, with Maris Otter yielding better than average, and Pearl producing a record 8t/ha (3.2t/acre). Both were full malting quality.

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Alchemy, Robigus, Claire and Oakley
Area: 60ha (148 acres)
Yield: c. 9.9t/ha (4t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Westminster and Oxbridge
Area: 130ha (321 acres)
Yield: 7t/ha (2.8t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Maris Otter
Yield: > average

Variety: Pearl
Area: 200ha (494 acres)
Yield: 8t/ha (3.2t/acre)