“Its miserable – it’s all very mixed and variable”.

The yield has varied between 3.09 – 3.95 t/ha (25 – 32 cwt/acre) with a moisture content of 11%.

Mr Buckley said it was “a very average sort of year”.

“It was very dry when we drilled it and it didn’t really get going.”

However, he added: “We’ve got better crops to come, at least I hope anyway.”

“So far there isn’t much to choose from between the 2 varieties.”

Mr Buckley’s farm received 32ml in 2 hours on Thursday (July 22) evening which has again delayed the start of his barley harvest, but he was optimistic.

“At least we won’t have to irrigate.”