Heavy showers and thunderstorms were making harvest progress slowly for Clive Apps in Romney, Kent. “We get about 6-7mm from each shower so it is all stop-go at the moment. We had very heavy storms last night so we will not be going again today.”

Wheat yields were averaging 10t/ha (4t/ac) from 260ha (650ac) which was “not exceptional”. He had finished cutting Cordiale which yielded fairly well but protein was slightly low and Hagbergs were very high.

Yields of Robigus were average. “Hagbergs are my only worry because they can be low in Robigus. We need them to be at 200 as we sell the grain to a local merchant who ships it to Belgium.”

He hoped to finish cutting within four or five hot days. “The trouble is the main worry is the quality – it is literally disappearing overnight.”

Mr Apps was very pleased with Cordiale as an early wheat and so planned to grow the variety again next year. “We will have to review growing Robigus again due to the Hagbergs, but we probably will do.”

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Area: 260ha (650ac)
• Variety: Cordiale and Robigus
• Yield: 10t/ha (4t/ac)