Colin Keevil was combining at every opportunity between the showers at Chapel Farm, East Knoyle, Wilts, but his dryers were struggling to keep up.

“We got on twice yesterday (3 September) at 27% moisture,” he said. “The grain is so wet it’s difficult to get it through the dryer.”

The 73ha (180 acres) of Robigus winter wheat cut so far had yielded below average at 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre).

However, the spring barley came off well at 5.6t/ha (2.25t/acre) and all went for malting.

Mr Keevil now had 130ha (320 acres) of Robigus and Oakley to cut, which despite still standing in the field, was beginning to sprout, bringing home-saving of seed into question.

“This is one of the worst years we have had,” said Mr Keevil. He was hoping to get on drilling 162ha (400 acres) of rape, but was not going to get on this week. “The ground is like a pudding.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Robigus
Area: 73ha (180 acres)
Yield: 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Area: 93ha (230 acres)
Yield: 5.6t/ha (2.25t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Flash
Area: 32ha (78 acres)
Yield: 5.2t/ha (2.1t/acre)

Varieties: Castille and Expert
Area: 121ha (300 acres)
Yield: 3.9t/ha (1.6t/acre)

Variety: Expert
Area: 24ha (60 acres)
Yield: 3.5t/ha (1.4t/acre)