Geoffrey Williams finally started harvest at Birklands Farm, Retford, Nottinghamshire, this afternoon (31 July), and was struggling with wet conditions.

“The rape has been down in the swath for three weeks, and it’s dreadfully wet in the bottom.”

After 1.5” of rain over the past 72 hours, Mr Williams was combining the 36ha (90 acres) of Vision oilseed rape at 16.8% moisture.

“It’s difficult to travel, but we’re just having to push on. It’s almost a salvage job already.”

Barley cut on neighbouring farms was only average, while the oilseed rape was generally better than expected, he added.