Brian Shaw was about 80% through the cereals at Barton Hill Farm, Lilley, Beds, having been rained off with thunderstorms yesterday (31 August).

“We had a good week last week – we had three trailer loads below 15% moisture and I remember each one quite fondly,” he said.

So far quality looked reasonable. “There are no obvious signs of deterioration.” But with another unsettled week ahead Mr Shaw was not sure how long the quality would hold.

However, all the milling wheat was in the shed, leaving 324ha (800 acres) of Einstein, Claire, and winter beans, to cut.

“All the soft wheat cut so far will do the job.” Robigus had tested with 170 Hagberg, Zebedee with 300 Hagberg and 11.3% Protein, and Solstice at 12.3% protein, he said.

However, the Malacca was still being dried so had not been tested yet.

Winter and spring barley yields had been above average, and rape was about average at just under 3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre).

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Flagon
Area: 101ha (250 acres)
Yield: 6.8t/ha (2.75t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Carat
Area: 101ha (250 acres)
Yield: 7.5t/ha (3t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Area: 160ha (400 acres)
Yield: 7.5t/ha (3t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Castille, Astrid, Catana and Canti
Area: 364ha (900 acres)
Yield: <3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre)