Tim Whitehead of Vine farm, South Herts was frustrated with harvest progress given the current weather.

”The weather is best described as changeable,” said the Hertfordshire grower.

Of the total 1400ha owned, only 7ha of Pearl barley and 30ha of oilseed rape had been harvested. Harvest so far had been a very stop- start affair, he said.

What had been combined came off at 16% moisture for winter barley and 10% moisture for winter oil seed rape, but he was expecting crop quality to be average. It was still too early to forecast yields.

Mr. Whitehead remained hopeful, but said he didn’t expect the harvest to be breaking any records this year. But with an uncertain weather forecast he wasn’t sure when he would next be able to continue combining.

*Harvest Highlights 2007 is sponsored by RAGT.