Harvest is progressing at a quarter of its usual pace at Rebecca Hill’s North West Farm, Winterbourne, Dorset.

Normally she would be cutting 142-162ha (350-400 acres) a week at this stage of harvest, but last week only managed 40ha (100 acres).

“It’s very frustrating and disappointing,” she said. “It looks like a fantastic harvest and we just can’t get to it.”

Mrs Hill had switched from cutting spring barley to winter wheat, for logistical drying reasons, and was averaging over 10t/ha (4t/acre).

The Tipple was also yielding above average at 8.2t/ha (3.3t/acre), and Hendon naked oats were just below the 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) mark.

Maris Otter winter barley had been pleasing, while Flagon disappointed at 6.5t/ha (2.65t/acre).

Castille oilseed rape yielded well at about 3.9t/ha (1.6t/acre), she said. “It feels like a lifetime ago.”

Mrs Hill still had 303ha (750 acres) of Solstice, Claire, Einstein, and Alchemy winter wheat to cut, as well as the rest of the spring barley and oats.

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Solstice and Einstein
Area: 40ha (100 acres)
Yield: >10t/ha (4t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Area: 40ha (100 acres)
Yield: 8.2t/ha (3.3t/acre)

Crop: Naked oats
Variety: Hendon
Yield: <7.4t/ha (3t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Maris Otter
Area: 28ha (70 acres)
Yield: 6.4t/ha (2.6t/acre)

Variety: Flagon
Area: 20ha (50 acres)
Yield: 6.5t/ha (2.65t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Castille
Area: 69ha (170 acres)
Yield: 3.9t/ha (1.6t/acre)