Early indicators of winter wheat harvest at an Essex family farm have been described as “pretty reasonable” given the dry season, with crops on heavier land fairing considerably better than lighter soils.

“What we don’t make in weight, we will hopefully make back in quality,” says Naomi Sheppard, who farms with her family at Monksbury Farm, near Bishops Stortford.

Wheat harvest kick-started on 14 July, with 20ha of Group 2 Palladium being cut, coming in at a moisture content of 11.5-12.5%.

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Naomi notes initial yields from the block of heavy land planted to first wheat, following spring beans seem promising considering the dry weather, where crops have received just a few showers of rain since February.

“Harvest certainly seems to be getting earlier and earlier. It’s not unusual for us to be finished up by the end of July.

There are threats of a thunderstorm this afternoon, so hopefully we will avoid this so we can carry on harvesting.”

A total of 110ha of Palladium is destined for the combine. Next to be cut is spring beans, which Naomi says have suffered in the lack of rain.

“Last year, our spring bean crop was exceptionally good, but this season seems to be the complete opposite,” she says.

Naomi farms with her father Stuart Padfield on the 180ha family farm.