Robert Craig has not cut a dry crop at Carse Hall, Ballykelly, Northern Ireland, since 10 August – and even that was winter barley at 17%.

“It’s a typical Irish summer, and people are starting to get desperate over here,” he said.

“I cut 20 acres (8ha) of spring barley last Saturday (29 August) at 26% for crimping – and anybody combining at the moment is tending to cut it for crimping.”

Mr Craig still had 40ha (100 acres) of spring barley to cut for seed, and it still didn’t look too bad.

“We’re not usually into it until the last week in August, or first week in September, so we’re not too late yet.”

Farmers had cut just 10% of spring barley and 20% of their winter wheat in the area, and crops which had been sprayed off were starting to suffer and drop heads, he said.