Jonathan Arnold of Robin Appel in Hampshire noted that around 70% of Pearl winter barley in the South will be going for feed rather than malting, from the high nitrogen and screening levels.

Mr Arnold said: “We’re now inundated with people wanting to grow Fanfare and Maris Otter instead next year.”

He was slightly concerned with some early spring barley damage from the rain, but was happy that the temperature remained cool.

Investigating take-all in barley he explained he had spent the past three years testing Latitude (silthiotam) dressing on winter barley, resulting in “no benefit at all”. Based on his own findings he said: “I would not be encouraging people to use it [on barley].”