Philip Gorringe has finished harvest at Lower Blakemere Farm, Blakemere, Herefordshire, and is reasonably pleased with yields.

“We finished on Wednesday (22 September) – and we’re very happy to have done so, given the rain we’ve had over the past two days.”

Two blocks of Cordiale, sown in November and March, provided an interesting comparison.

“The block sown in March yielded better, at 8t/ha (3.25t/acre), with the November drilled block yielding just 7.4t/ha (3t/acre).

“I suppose we got a full plant from the March sown area, but the November sown seed suffered in horrendous conditions.

“The November sample was borderline on quality for seed – it was just starting to germinate – but the March sample was perfect.”

Einstein, which had partly lodged, averaged 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre). Grafton did very well, just pipping the Einstein yield, he added.

But a field of third wheat Einstein disappointed at 5t/ha (2t/acre). “It passed for seed but the take all really took it apart.

“A surprising bonus was that I’d expected to have to dry a lot of the wheat down from 20% moisture – but most of it was only 17% or less.”

Vining peas proved reasonable, too, yielding 100t from 32ha (80 acres) – 3.1t/ha (1.25t/acre). “Given the season, I’m happy with that – and they look sound.”

That just left a very late crop of sunflowers to get. “We’re still picking them for flower displays – they’re probably the latest crop in the country.

“After all the doom and gloom, it’s been a protracted harvest, but a better one than expected.”

Crop: Vining peas
Yield: 3.1t/ha (1.25t/acre)

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Einstein
Yield: 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre)

Variety: Grafton
Yield: >8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre)

Variety: Gymnast
Yield: 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Saffron
Area: 80ha (200 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)