“We are looking at a very good harvest” said Charlie Watson-Smyth in Padstow, Cornwall.

The 52ha of Antonia winter barley was coming off at 6.8t/ha, which was “very good because last year was disastrous”, he said.

He was also “pleased” with the bushel weight of 70kg/hl, considering “it is only for feed”.

The straw yield of 5t/ha will be a bonus to the bottom line, he added. “It is worth a fortune down here.”

The winter barley harvest should be completed in the next few days, he confirmed.