Tom Coleman at Lower Norton Farm, Hampshire, said harvest was going very well, having finished cutting spring barley a week ago. “We’re pleased as it didn’t look like it would be anything special.”

Yields from the 140ha (350acres) of Optic were higher than anticipated, and slightly above average at 6.75t/ha (2.7t/acre). “Nitrogen levels were a little on the high side but it all scraped for malting quality so we’re very pleased.”

He was yet to cut 32ha (80acres) of his 160ha (400acres) of winter wheat, which so far had given average or slightly above yields. Einstein and Robigus came in at 10 – 10.6t/ha (4-4.25t/acre) with no difference between the two.

“Weather permitting we will finish in a couple of days. Normally we would finish around a week later.”

Next year he planned to grow a similar spread of oilseed rape, spring barley and winter wheat. He said oilseed rape had been generally disappointing in the area this year.

He added: “Overall I’d say harvest was average to very slightly above – nothing special but not the disappointment that many people thought.”

• Crop: Spring barley
• Variety: Optic
• Area: 140ha
• Yield: 6.75t/ha

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Einstein and Robigus
• Area: 160ha
• Yield: 10-10.6t/ha