Harvest is progressing really well at AF Monk Ltd, Stockbridge, Hampshire, with combining already 50% complete.

“I can’t believe the speed with which everything is moving – I have to keep reminding myself that we’re still in July,” said Richard Monk.

Yields had been a little bit mixed, with winter barley generally good and oats rather disappointing.

“We had Cassia winter barley at 9t/ha, and Maris Otter at 7t/ha – but the oats ranged from 6.5t to 8t/ha,” he said.

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Charger oilseed rape, grown for seed, had done well at 4.7t/ha, with a commercial crop of Cabernet yielding 3.7t/ha and seed Cabernet 4t/ha.

“We’ve also cut some Mascara white peas, which haven’t been weighed yet but look to have done 5t/ha.”

Mr Monk had made a start on combining winter wheat, with some Gallant yielding 9.5t/ha. “We haven’t tested it for quality but it looks to be a good sample,” he said.

“We’ve also go Diego, Santiago, Monteray and Kielder, and the prospects look good.”

With the weather set fair and the area having missed the heavy thunderstorms, Mr Monk reckoned he had just 10-14 days’ combining left.

“It’s been a funny year – normally we’d have cut spring barley before the wheat, but it’s the other way round this season.”