Mr Baines has so far harvested 405ha (1,000 acres) of Pearl and Maris Otter barley and has another 1,400 ha (3,500 acres) still to do under contract work near Norwich, Norfolk.

Yesterday (Tuesday July 27) Mr Baines’s co-op had seven combines running to try and take full advantage of the good weather.

“So far it’s been a very variable harvest,” said Mr Baines.

Nitrogen has been slightly on the high side while yields have been ranging between 6.2-6.8 t/ha (2.5 – 2.75 t/acre).

Moisture content has been ranging between 14-17%.