Philip Gorringe is preparing for rain and gales today (August 24) at Lower Blakemere Farm, Herefordshire. He said: “It’s a pity as we haven’t finished harvest.”

Results so far are very varied, with “some truly excellent results and others very disappointing”. Twenty hectares of second wheat Einstein yielded 9.4t/ha, whereas Einstein on heavier soil yielded a disappointing 6.25t/ha. But he was very pleased with Fastnet at 8.75 – 10t/ha on varying soils.

Quality has been fine, he said, but where yields were low, quality was poor with pinched grain. Bushel weights were also not particularly high, and a small amount of Glasgow is laid in the field.

Mr Gorringe said harvest is traditionally later in this area, but is “well up to the mark” at the moment as he is half way through wheat.

The highlight of this harvest has been 22ha of Saffron winter barley which yielded an outstanding 9.4t/ha with very low screenings. “It’s the lowest screenings we’ve ever had which is good as we grow for seed.”

• Crop/Variety: Saffron winter barley
  
• Area: 22ha
  
• Yield: 9.4t/ha
  
• Quality: Low screenings

• Crop/Variety: Einstein winter wheat
  
• Area: 20ha
  
• Yield: 9.4t/ha
  
• Quality: N/A

• Crop/Variety: Einstein winter wheat
  
• Area: N/A
  
• Yield: 6.25t/ha
  
• Quality: N/A

• Crop/Variety: Fastnet winter wheat
  
• Area: N/A
  
• Yield: 8.75 – 10t/ha
  
• Quality: N/A