Harvest is all but finished in Co. Cork, with just a couple of wet fields to tidy up, according to Nicholas Dunican of Cork Combines, Valley Farm, Belgooley.

“What a difference a fine week makes – we finished the spring barley last week at 14% moisture.”

Yields were very variable, with Centurion yielding 6.7t/ha (2.7t/acre), but other crops coming off at just 5t/ha (2t/acre), he said. “It went flat and sprouted – and a lot of heads cracked off.”

Wheat yields were 2.5t/ha (1t/acre) down on average, at 7.4-10t/ha (3-4t/acre). “And quality has dropped way back.”

Quality and yields of straw were also poor, having been affected by the wet summer, he added.

“But our 1997 combine has only required one bearing over an eight week period it’s good to have it back home in the barn.”