Neil Saunders has finished combining oilseed rape at DJ & ME Saunders & Son, Winchester, Hampshire, and has now started cutting winter barley.

“The Camelot oilseed rape was very disappointing,” he said.

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“I’ve heard a lot of reports around us of rape yielding 2.5-3t/ha, and I did feel the canopy hadn’t formed well, so it was no great surprise.”

However, the Cassia winter barley was more promising. “It rained last night (17 July) so we’ve only just been twice round the headland,” said Mr Saunders.

“It’s coming off at 15.8% moisture, but it’s too early to tell what the yield will be.”

Winter wheat and spring barley also looked extremely well, he added. “I’m pretty optimistic about the rest of harvest.”