Crops are starting to brackle under the wet weather in Herefordshire, but an improving weather forecast could allow combines to get back out soon.

“It absolutely chucked it down yesterday (25 August),” said Philip Gorringe at Lower Blakemere Farm, Blakemere. “But the outlook is apparently not too bad, with two weeks of reasonable good weather ahead.”

Mr Gorringe had cut all of his Saffron winter barley and most of his grass seed – but hadn’t even started on winter wheat or peas.

“We’re about halfway through harvest and it’s not too late yet.

”The Saffron did very well – I didn’t think that it would average 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) but it will have done, mostly by virtue of the bold bushelweight.”

Although some wheat had brackled in the area, only one small field had gone over at Lower Blakemere.

“I had been worried that the wheat wasn’t thick enough, but I’m quite happy now because it hasn’t gone down.

“With the good bushelweights and yields, there’s a lot of weight in the heads, so this wind and rain is not ideal.”

Although some smut was coming into the wheat, there were no signs of sprouting or other deterioration, he said.

“There’s nothing too serious, and if the weather comes right we can crack on and get it in.”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Saffron
Area: 80ha (200 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)