It has been a variable year for wheat in the area with some farmers reporting good specific weights and yields while others have had a much more difficult time.

There have been problems with disease, orange blossom midge and most of all, the wet weather, Mr Bird noted.

Yields in general have been better than last year, but the cost of this year‘s harvest and the low prices, are causing misery to most farmers, he said.

“Most farmers have been hit by a double whammy while there are others who have even been hit by a triple whammy.”

Mr Bird predicts 30% of the wheat had been cut before the rain set in. Some grain in Devon and Somerset has been harvested at over 20% moisture.

“We‘ve had some early morning, late night jobs to get the wet grain through the driers.”