He said “yields are infinitely variable and it completely depends on how dry the field is.”

His yields have varied between 4.32 – 8.03 t/ha (35-65 cwt).

This is mainly because specific weights suffered during the drought that the farm had in late May and June, with the driest fields suffering more than some of the others.

However “yesterday afternoon the heavens opened up with a couple of hours of a torrential downpour”.

Mr Watson-Smyth though is disappointed with the poor specific weights at 63-64 kg/hl.

“We normally get around 68-69kg/hl.”

He did say however that the Antonia barley is producing a good crop of straw which brings in another £40/t.

“The Antonia produces good crop straw which is important.”

Mr Watson-Smyth has another 33ha (80 acres) to do before he can start harvesting his 49ha (120 acre) Claire wheat crop which is ready to be combined.