Keith Snowball has made a start on winter wheat near High Farm, Brandsby, Yorkshire.

The Oakley second wheat averaged about 8.2t/ha (3.3t/acre), but was a slightly thin sample. “Wheats don’t look as though they’re going to break any records,” he said.

Solstice second wheat was two to three days away, and very little wheat had been combined in the area.

Gerald and Dalguise winter oats had yielded well, at 6.2-7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre), with a bold sample and plenty of straw, said Mr Snowball.

“But, as with every crop we’ve combined, the big disappointment is the price.”

Winter barley yields had been below average, at 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre), regardless of variety, he added.

As yet, the oilseed rape was not ready to cut – even though he only had 15ha (37 acres) to do this year, compared with 180ha (447 acres) last year, due to the wet autumn.

Conditions had been less than perfect this harvest, too. “We get two fine days and then rain. The fields are getting sticky in places – it’s what you don’t need.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Oakley
Yield: 8.2t/ha (3.3t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Varieties: Gerald and Dalguise
Yield: 6.2-7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Varieties: Saffron and Pearl
Area: 141ha (350 acres)
Yield: 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre)