Scottish farmers were making a start on their winter wheat and spring barley, with winter barley and oilseed rape mostly finished, according to Glencore trader Ian Simpson.

“We’ve had a good spell and harvest is progressing well now,” he said. Winter barley yields had been about average, with rape better than average. “Winter barley quality had been good, and Pearl has generally made a malting sample.”

Farmers were about 5-10% into their spring barley and wheat, and yields so far looked about average, said Mr Simpson.

“We’ve started to get a few samples of spring barley in – some is a bit skinned and weathered but it is all usable.”

Harvest was a week to 10 days behind normal, he reckoned. “I think it will take to the end of September to tie it up.”