Oilseed rape harvesting is underway at High house farm, North Yorkshire according to farmer Phil Dowson.

The hot dry weather and pigeon problems have meant that yield is slightly down compared with last year.

So far Mr Dowson had harvested one field of swathed rape while the other fields which had ripened unevenly had been desiccated.

Early yield and quality indications are 4.3t/ha (1.75t/acre), with moisture content of 8% and an average oil content of 46%.

Wheat harvesting looks set to begin next week (w/c 31 July) with Deben being the first variety.

Despite the weather and the possibility of lower yields, Mr Dowson is optimistic that it will be a good year.

• Crop: Oilseed rape
  
• Variety: Lioness
  
• Area: 20 acres
  
• Yield: 1.75t/acre
  
• Quality: Moisture 8%, Oil content 46%.