“I was disappointed not to get going before the rain set in,” he said.

Mr Randall from Maidenhead, Berkshire has harvested 8 ha (20 acres) out of total of 20 ha (50 acres) of barley on his 340 ha (850 acre) farm.

He is now “moderately pleased” with the quality of his crop now that he has started – specific weight would be over 63kg/hl on his Siberia, he reckoned.

Meanwhile yield is over 7.4t/ha (3 t/acre) at 16% moisture.

Mr Randall grows both Siberia and Sequel varieties.

He was “happy with Siberia‘s performance” and the quality this particular variety produced.

Mr Randall also grows oilseed rape, wheat and winter beans.