The wheat harvest began “two weeks earlier than ever before”, said John Beslee of Hook Green Farm in Southfleet, Kent.

After two days, 48ha of Cordiale was coming off at 7.5t/ha. The lack of rain has been a major concern.

“The crop is lighter than last year and the grain is small, and not filled out.”

Twenty-four hectares of oilseed rape was cut at 3t/ha which was “all we ever do, maybe slightly better”.

But Mr Beslee is worried by the low prices for the 2005 harvest.

“We are very unsure whether to continue farming next year. We are making no money.”