Wheat yields in Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire were 10-14% down compared with a normal year, according to agronomist Justin Blackwood.

Quality was also very variable, he added. “The Xi 19 generally had lower protein than we would have liked, and Hagbergs are all over the place, from 160-240. Most of the crops harvested since the rain are sub-200 Hagberg, and the Glasgow has sprouted by up to 20%.”

Winter barleys averaged about 7.4t/ha (3t/acre), and oilseed rape crops had been “exceptionally variable”, ranging from 2.5t/ha to almost 5t/ha (1-2t/acre), depending on soil type.

Winter beans were very poor, with a lot of small and aborted seeds, said Mr Blackwood, with Wizard yielding just 3t/ha (1.2t/acre) across four farms.

“But generally, with prices where they are and reasonable yields things are looking fairly cheery.”

• Crop: Winter barley
• Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Yield: 8-9t/ha (3.2-3.6t/acre)

• Crop: Oilseed rape
• Yield: 2.5-5t/ha (1-2t/acre)

• Crop: Winter beans
• Variety: Wizard
  Yield: 3t/ha (1.2t/acre)