This harvest is proving one that David Cargill would like to forget. Wheat yields at his farm in Norfolk were 20-25% down, and his potatoes had suffered from rots due to the wet weather.

“We have Hermes, Markies and Saturna  for long-term storage for crisping and will start lifting on Wednesday (September 12),” he said. “There are appalling weather cracks in the Hermes – in general with other peoples’ Hermes. But on the whole the potatoes are probably better than I was expecting.”

Of those not lost to rots, Mr Cargill expects yields from the 101ha (250 acres) to be about 10% down on average.

“I’ve ordered a brand new harvester from Belgium which was meant to come on September 1 and will be three weeks late. It’s not been a good year.”

Crop: Crisping potatoes
Varieties: Hermes, Markies and Saturna
Expected yield: 10% down