Richard Beachell has finished combining oilseed rape and winter barley at Field House Farm, Bainton, Humberside, and is now waiting for other crops to ripen.

“The barley was okay – it produced a good average, at just over 8t/ha.”

With a bushel weight of 63kg/hl, the Cassata had all managed to go for malting, although premiums were terrible, he said.

“I haven’t moved the oilseed rape yet, but I’d estimate it to have yielded below average, at 4t/ha.

“It’s not desperately bad but it’s a long way down on last year. Although there was a lot of bulk, the seed was very small.”

Judging by the combine yield monitor, there wasn’t much to pick between the Excalibur and Compass, he added.

Oakley and Santiago winter wheat would probably be ready early next week. “Rubbing it out I don’t hold a lot of hope for yields – it’s very pinched and the ears aren’t full of grain.”

The spring barley might be ready first. “It looks alright – hopefully we might get one decent crop out of it all,” said Mr Beachell.

“Unfortunately, we can manage our crops and look after them, but you can’t do anything about the weather.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Excalibur and Compass
Area: 57ha
Yield: 4t/ha

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Cassata
Area: 51ha
Yield: 8t/ha