Oxfordshire grower Lionel Wells said wheat was as good as expected considering the dry weather in early summer at Leadenporch Farm, Banbury.

Yields were spot on the six-year average with first wheats at 9.5t/ha (3.8t/acre) and second wheats at 8.5t/ha (3.4t/acre).

“We’re still waiting for quality tests but bushel weights were pretty good and didn’t suffer too much from the drought.”

Zebedee was the highest yielding variety, and Malacca and Claire performed well. Second wheat Welford came in a little below average at 8.25t/ha (3.3t/acre), and second wheat Richmond at 8.25-8.37t/ha (3.3-3.35t/acre).

He planned to continue growing Malacca as a milling wheat next year, Claire and Zebedee as first wheats, plus Richmond and Einstein as second wheats. He also planned to try some Brompton.

Mr Wells said most growers in the area were cutting beans and much of the wheat had been cut.

He added: “Harvest was finished one day in front of our record. It may have improved quality as the Hagbergs never dropped and the bushel weights were good.”

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Zebedee, Malacca, Claire, Welford, Richmond
• Yield: First wheats 9.5t/ha (3.8t/acre), Second wheats 8.5t/ha (3.4t/acre)