A prolonged dry spell has meant Clinton Dunmore has finished harvest in North Bedfordshire, with little drying needed. “It has generally been the easiest harvest in many years.”

Malacca and Hereward winter wheat yields are down 10% on last year at 7.5 – 8.75t/ha, having been affected by the June drought. But he said it “came off better than I thought” and quality was very good.

Winner oilseed rape did very well at 4.6t/ha, which was better than average. The quality was also very good, and he was pleased the drought did not affect the crop.

Mr Dunmore said because he has been using a lot of fuel, harvest has been expensive. He is just starting to drill Castille oilseed rape, giving up Winner after four years, for a higher yielding, low biomass variety, he said.

• Crop/Variety: Malacca and Hereward winter wheat


• Area: 240ha


• Yield: 7.5-8.75t/ha


• Quality: N/A

• Crop/Variety: Winner oilseed rape


• Area: 92ha


• Yield: 4.6t/ha


• Quality: N/A