Philip Gorringe has not been on combining since Saturday (30 August) at Lower Blakemere Farm, Herefordshire, and has still not cut any wheat at all.

“We’ve got a lot to do,” he said. “Most of the wheat is standing, but we’ve got two inches of rain forecast tomorrow (5 September).”

Most of the wheat, grown for seed, still looked well, although two fertile fields of Granary spring wheat had lodged. “If the quality disappears it will be a pity.”

The Saffron winter barley yielded over 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre), with the second barley Wintmalt also pleasing at 8-8.6t/ha (3.25-3.5t/acre).

Mr Gorringe now had 4ha (10 acres) of grass seed, 142ha (350 acres) of wheat and 49ha (120 acres) of peas to do.

“A week of good weather could make quite a lot of difference – it doesn’t take long to change the perspective.”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Saffron
Area: 40ha (100 acres)
Yield: >8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre)

Variety: Wintmalt
Area: 32ha (80 acres)
Yield: 8-8.6t/ha (3.25-3.5t/acre)

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Humber, Conqueror and Sherborne
Area: 142ha (350 acres)