Clive Tory made a start on spring barley at South Farm, Spetisbury, Dorset, on Monday (16 August), and is now concerned about the wet weather.

“The Quench looks bold and is the right colour, but I am worried what’s going to happen with this rain – I don’t want it to start brackling over.”

Cutting the crop low the combine had picked up a sandstone on Monday, slowing harvest down further.

Winter wheat had been relatively pleasing, although feed wheat yields were down on last year, with Oakley and Viscount averaging 9.9t/ha (4t/acre).

Gallant, grown for the first time, went very well, yielding 11.6t/ha (4.71t/acre). “We were very pleased with that – and it didn’t need drying.”

Quality was good, too, at 82kg/hl, 350-450 Hagberg and over 12% protein. “Our new agronomist, Richard Roe, has done a good job.

“We’ll be growing half Gallant, half Scout this autumn.”

Oilseed rape produced record yields, with Castille managing 4.7t/ha (1.9t/acre) and Cabernet 4.9t/ha (2t/acre).

After the spring barley Mr Tory had Wizard winter beans to cut, which looked quite well, he added.

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Gallant
Area: 40ha (100 acres)
Yield: 11.6t/ha (4.7t/acre)

Varieties: Oakley and Viscount
Yield: 9.9t/ha (4t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Castille
Yield: 4.7t/ha (1.9t/acre)

Variety: Cabernet
Yield: 4.9t/ha (2t/acre)