Winter barley harvest in Norfolk is only about 25% through, with oilseed rape just 5-10% complete, according to Owen Southwood, trader at Dewing Grain.

“Winter barley quality has been quite good so far, with bold, low nitrogen grain.” Yields had averaged about 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre), he said. 

However, ongoing wet weather was starting to raise doubts about quality. “You’ve got to be concerned now – some of the winter barleys are very fit.

“We might see some splitting from the crops cut after the rain,” said Mr Southwood.

Rape yields were below average, he added. “But generally people are pleasantly surprised – it’s not the disaster it looked to be at one stage.”

Some wheat was now underway, but it was likely to be seven to 10 days before farmers got into the bulk of early wheats.