To be honest it isn't quite so hot today. But travelling across East Anglia yesterday was very uncomfortable and looking over hedges made me feel even worse. At least it did until I read Phil Clarkes blog that indicated wheat prices had risen £10 in a week. The view over those hedges was clearly the reason.
Hardly a field was ripening evenly. Most had scorched patches all over them and some whole crops were looking very sad indeed. This morning we've had about five drops of rain here in this part of Norfolk and I suspect moisture has been just as scarce elsewhere. Harvest must begin soon but it will not be an enjoyable experience despite the higher prices. For yields are likely to be well down.
I am almost embarrassed to mention that in this immediate area our grain crops are, of course, suffering but not nearly as much as those I saw 60 miles west yesterday. Whether its because we've had a bit more rain, or that our heavier land has retained winter moisture better I can't say. But our yields will be down as well, although hopefully by not quite as much as some.
My thoughts turn to the fact that we've probably sold too much forward at prices well below those available now, confirming the gamble that is farming - this time for traditional weather reasons rather than because of currency fluctuations. It also crosses my mind that, climate change notwithstanding, the law of averages suggests the deficit in rainfall will be corrected sometime and that sods law dictates that it will be in August when we are trying to harvest the shrivelled grain.
There, I've confirmed it. I'm a miserable git whose glass is always half empty. But at least I will have satisfied some of my critics who have been making such allegations for years.