Drought in May has really knocked yields in North Norfolk, with wheat yielding well below average, according to Bob Clabon of Rookery Farm, North Walsham.

“It hasn’t been an easy harvest – it’s very stop-start, and yields have been very average.”

Mr Clabon had cut 100ha (250 acres) of Oakley, Glasgow and Humber wheat, which had yielded a disappointing 8.5t/ha (3.4t/acre), with the worst on the light land.

Tipple spring barley had done better than expected, at 6.9-7.2t/ha (2.8-2.9t/acre), and all made malting quality.

But Flagon winter barley was hard hit by the early drought, yielding just 6.9t/ha (2.8t/acre).

Mr Clabon hoped to get combining this afternoon (13 August), after being rained off yesterday.

He had 160ha (400 acres) of wheat, 24ha (60 acres) of spring barley, and 12ha (30 acres) of beans to do, and harvest was about 60% complete in the area, he added.

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Oakley, Glasgow and Humber
Area: 100ha (250 acres)
Yield: 8.5t/ha (3.4t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Area: 28ha (70 acres)
Yield: 6.9-7.2t/ha (2.8-2.9t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Flagon
Area: 100ha (250 acres)
Yield: 6.9t/ha (2.8t/acre)