Wheat has started to sprout at Wilfred Walters’ Scobbiscombe Farm, near Ivybridge, Devon, and the forecast is for more rain this weekend (23 August).

“I am more depressed than I was during foot-and-mouth,” he said. “I cut 90 acres last week and it was just about acceptable – now everything has grown out and looks horrible. It is really desperate.”

Mr Walters cut 28ha (70 acres) of Dalguise oats and 8ha (20 acres) of Biscay wheat last week, which averaged about 6.8 (2.75t/acre) and 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre), respectively.

Hanna winter barley cut in July was pleasing, at 14% moisture and 7.4t/ha (3t/acre).

He now had 57ha (140 acres) of oats, 80ha (200 acres) of wheat and 40ha (100 acres) of spring barley to do, but forecast rain on Saturday was likely to delay harvest even further, he said.

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Biscay
Area: 8ha (20 acres)
Yield: 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Variety: Dalguise
Area: 28ha (70 acres)
Yield: 6.8t/ha (2.75t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Hanna
Area: 34ha (85 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)