Harvest was four or five days ahead of average at Rock Estate, Alwick, Northumberland, where Carl Tuer was cutting winter wheat today (August 29).

“We’ve had a brilliant spell – we’ve cut continuously for 10 days, until midnight most nights,” he said. “The weather has been quite kind to us this year in this little pocket.”

The Claire was coming in at 18% moisture, with the 202ha (500 acres) of Robigus and Claire cut so far averaging 9.4t/ha (3.8t/acre). “It’s all making biscuit quality.”

The Pearl winter barley achieved malting standards, yielding a pleasing 8.2t/ha (3.3t/acre), while the 202ha (500 acres) of Betty, Lioness and Royal oilseed rape averaged 4.3t/ha (1.75t/acre).

That left 202ha (500 acres) of Claire and Alchemy wheat and 36ha (90 acres) of Oxbridge spring barley to cut. “We’ve got about six days combining to do, and should be into the barley over the next few days,” said Mr Tuer.

• Crop: Winter barley
• Variety: Pearl
• Yield: 8.2t/ha (3.3t/acre)

• Crop: Oilseed rape
• Varieties: Betty, Lioness and Royal
• Yield: 4.3t/ha (1.75t/acre)

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Varieties: Claire and Robigus
• Yield: 9.4t/ha (3.8t/acre)
• Moisture: 18% (Claire)