Moisture contents of Pearl winter barley were being checked at Rock Farm, Alnwick in Northumberland this afternoon by farm manager Carl Tuer.

The crop had little or no lodging, but he had sprayed to remove secondary tillers. He estimated about 40% of the field was only partly ripe because of this.

He also had oilseed rape, which he hoped to start in a week to 10 days, while winter oats were at least three weeks away. He was keeping his fingers crossed for the next ten days for a good forecast.

He expected yields to be hit because of a lack of sunshine, however. But he did count himself fortunate that he had missed a lot of the torrential rain.

Yet to be harvested:
• Crop: Winter barley
o Variety: Pearl
o Moisture content: 25%