Farmers have made a start on combining spring barley in Angus, Scotland, but 30mm of rain yesterday (26 August) has slowed progress again.

“It’s not been very clever – ground conditions aren’t great in many areas, and no wheat has been cut around here at all,” said Trevor Harriman, general manager at Scotgrain.

“Most of the oilseed rape is now done, and the winter barley is finished, but the wheat is starting to look a bit sorry for itself.”

Oilseed rape yields were on the light side, with winter barley also performing poorly, said Mr Harriman. “Bushel weights haven’t been very clever, either.”

Although the Arbroath area had suffered from heavy rain yesterday, the weekend had not been bad, and further north, near Aberdeen, conditions had been drier, he added.

“But it’s not necessarily about the state of the crop, it’s a question of being able to travel to get it cut.

“That said, it’s nice and warm and breezy today, so that should help.”