Harvest was going “intermittently” for Tim Whitehead at Vines Farm, Royston, having to catch some combining in between showers. “We’ve been combining for half an hour now but heavy rain is forecast. It’s frustrating as there’s only four more days combining needed.”

Yields were average from 420ha (1050ac) of winter wheat cut from his total area of 550ha (1375ac). Nijinsky, Zebedee, Robigus, Xi19 and Hereward averaged 9.5-11t/ha (3.8-4.4t/ac) which was slightly up on last year.

“Yields very much mirror the soil type. Very good moisture retentive soil yielded very well, but the less good soil yielded poorly.”

Robigus suffered most from the drought, with bushel weights of 75kg/hl. “I don’t think the variety can cope with hot, dry weather.” Hereward was at 81kg/hl so he said specific weights were “all over the place”.

Some of the wheat had been sold forward on a contract dependent on the quality. “If this weather carries on I shall be concerned for the quality of the crops.”

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Nijinsky, Zebedee, Robigus, Xi19, Hereward
• Area: 420ha cut of 550ha
• Yield: Average 9.5-11t/ha
• Quality: Bushel weights Robigus 75kg/hl, Hereward 81kg/hl