Nigel Horne still had over 160ha (400 acres) of combining to do at Catmore Farm, Newbury, Berkshire.

“Everything is still standing – it doesn’t look too bad,” he said.

The wheat cut so far had yielded above average, although Mr Horne had not yet put much over a weighbridge. “The first two loads of Solstice have gone in as milling wheat with no claims.”

Spring barley had also been pleasing so far, but he had another two days of combining to do.

Oilseed rape was disappointing because of pigeon damage, averaging just over 3t/ha (1.2t/acre).

Mr Horne now had two days of combining on spring barley, one day on wheat, plus spring and winter beans to harvest.

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Lioness and Cabernet
Area: 101ha (250 acres)
Yield: 3t/ha (1.2t/acre)

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Solstice
Area: 90ha (36 acres
Yield: > average

Variety: Gladiator
Area: 90ha (36 acres)

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