Harvest is still two weeks away at Nigel Horne’s Catmore Farm, Newbury, Berkshire, where he hopes to spray off the 101ha (250 acres) of rape this weekend (19/20 July).

“It is a tricky decision because more than normal is backward because of pigeon damage,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be an epic yield.” With no winter barley, he would then probably have a gap until the 180ha (445 acres) of winter wheat was ready. “It looks good but is a long way off at the moment.”

The 75ha (185 acres) of Tipple spring barley, most of which was being grown for seed, also looked well, he added.

Crop: Oilseed rape
Area: 101ha (250 acres)

Crop: Winter wheat
Area: 180ha (445 acres)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Area: 75ha (185 acres)