Grain stores at Paul Buckenham’s Sellers Farm, Billericay, Essex are full, except for 30t of Solstice which was sold this morning. He received £162/t at 13.2% protein, a premium of about £25/t over feed.

He finished cutting his bumper Solstice crop at the end of last week.

The 96ha (240 acres) yielded 10.2t/ha (4.09 t/acre) overall, and up to 12.3 t/ha (4.9 t/acre) in some places.

Hagbergs topped 300, specific weight ranged from 79-82 kg/hl and screenings were about 2.5%.

The bulk came in between 11.9 -16.4% moisture, averaging around 14.5%. Protein content ranged from 13.6% to 12.14%.

He said crops planted on gravel suffered more from the April drought and were visibly shorter.

Mr Buckenham said yields were on a par with last year.

He added: “We hope to start ploughing again within the next few days.” He is going to grow Solstice again next year and plans to start drilling on 24 September.

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Solstice
• Area cut: 96ha (240 acres)
• Yield: 10.2t/ha (4.09 t/acre)
• Hagberg: 300+
• Specific weight: 79-82 kg/hl
• Screenings: 2.5%
• Moisture: 14.5%
• Protein: 13.6%-12.14%