Tom Hipwell still had 100ha (250 acres) of Robigus winter wheat to combine at Hill Farm, Sandy, Beds, but moisture levels had finally dropped to about 16%.

“We’ve been nibbling away at 22% over the past 10 days,” he said.

The Oakley winter wheat had been outstanding, at 10-12t/ha (4-4.9t/acre), with Humber only slightly below that.

Some wheat was suffering from sprouting and fusarium, said Mr Hipwell. “But it’s looking a lot better in the sunshine today.”

He had managed to drill all his oilseed rape, and ground conditions had finally improved enough to get on ploughing yesterday (September 14).

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Oakley and Humber
Area: 263ha (650 acres)
Yield: 10-12t/ha (4-4.9t/acre)

Variety: Einstein
Area: 202ha (500 acres)
Yield: 8.9t/ha (3.6t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Castille
Area: 243ha (600 acres)
Yield: 3t/ha (1.25t/acre)