James Ross from merchants Robin Appel, said 80-85% of wheat had been cut today (Aug 19) with varied quality.

Proteins are exceptional this year, with high levels on all varieties except Einstein, he said. Malacca and Hereward proteins are particularly above normal, and he said this could be due to good sunshine hours and nitrogen uptake.

Mr Ross suggests the large volume of crops with high protein has caused the milling premium to fall from £15 to £10: “It is not an unreasonable premium for later in the season.”

He said Hagbergs are mainly usable but wheat pockets in central Hampshire and on the south coast have suffered from the wet weather – Robigus and Solstice in particular have been affected.

He was “pleasantly surprised” with yields, but bushel weights are about 1.5kg/hl down on last year, with smaller grain and lower screenings. He said harvest progress is slightly ahead of last year in the south, but it is “inevitable” that this rain will affect the Hagberg of remaining wheat crops.