“The yields exactly reflect the drought of the grounds,” said Brian Shaw of Barton Hill Farm, Bedfordshire.

The 120ha of Pearl winter barley cut at 6.25t/ha to 8.1t/ha which was “disappointing to good”. He was “pleased” with the 13% moisture which meant it was “cheap to get in”.

But he was concerned with the “surprisingly high” 1.8% nitrogen content of the crop, and questioned whether he would grow winter barley again.

The 80ha of oilseed rape was “pleasing” with Astrid “yielding especially well” at 4t/ha on “good land”.

Castille came in at 3.75t/ha and Winner at 3.4t/ha.