Ian Branstone was waiting to make a start on his winter oats at Bourton Hill Farm, Bourton on the Water, Glos, having finished the rape a week ago.

But 10mm of rain last night (17 August) was preventing any combining today, and the forecast was not good until the end of the week, he said.

The 40ha (100 acres) of oats had also gone flat, so would take a while to combine, he added.

Mr Branstone was disappointed with his Castille oilseed rape, which yielded just over 2.5t/ha (1t/acre).

After the oats he had winter wheat and spring barley to combine. “I haven’t looked at it recently – I have just retired to the office.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Castille
Area: 80ha (200 acres)
Yield: 2.5t/ha (1t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Area: 40ha (100 acres)