Predictions were for an average season for Tim Whitehead in Royston, Hertfordshire.

Ninety-two hectares of Pearl winter barley was cut at 7.5t/ha, which was half a tonne lower than last year. Mr Whitehead said: “We grew feed barley last year so this was to be expected.”

Fortis oilseed rape yielded significantly better than last year at 3.5t/ha, and he was very happy with the 6.5% moisture levels.

He was concerned with how quickly the wheats had gone off adding: “I just hope the weather holds. It will be a disaster if not.”