Roger Middleditch was only two-thirds through cutting winter wheat at Prior Farm, South Norfolk. He had been held back by the rain, with the forecast not looking any better.

“Don’t mention harvest – it’s looking grim! We’ve had 125mm rain so far in August and 60mm in the past week.”

Cut wheat had yielded well at close to 10t/ha (4t/ac) but he still had some lighter land to tackle. Quality had been good and he was pleased with protein levels and Hagbergs on the Solstice milling wheat.

With a total of 1000ha (2500ac) of Solstice, Deben and Claire winter wheat, he was concerned for the quality of remaining crops. “Everything looks ok at the minute but we were rained off Saturday lunchtime. We will soon see sprouting if this weather continues.”

Mr Middleditch said the story was similar in the area for those farms with a large acreage to cut.

“We need five clear good days to finish. It’s a shame as things were going well.”

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Solstice, Deben and Claire
• Area: 1000ha (2500ac) in total
• Yield: 10t/ha (4t/ac)