The winter barley harvest was “not going well” for Guy Smith on Wigborowick Farm, Essex.

Pearl was yielding “below average” at 7.4t/ha, thanks to it being “the driest year for 29 years”.

He said: “With the high nitrogen levels, I doubt it will meet malting standards.”

He also had two field fires which were not helped by the dry weather.

Overall, Mr Smith was “not anticipating a good harvest”, and he does not think the second wheats will do well.