Contractors cut winter barley at Beech Tree Farm, Westonzoyland, Somerset, 10 days ago (22 July), but spring barley is about another week away.

“We didn’t have very much winter barley this year, and didn’t grow a six-row variety either,” said Sandra May.

The Florentine yielded just under 7.4t/ha, which was quite reasonable for a two-row. “We took it straight into Cannington Grain and sold it straight away, because there’s going to be quite a lot of spring barley around,” she added.

Sandra and her husband Patrick also sold the standing straw for £250/ha. “There was a good yield of straw – we’re on sand here so didn’t have the problems with establishment that other people had,” she said.

The spring barley and winter wheat would be ready in another week, and looked quite reasonable.

“Anything on heavier ground in the area doesn’t look so good. We’re cutting the rest of the crops ourselves, so need to get the combine ready!”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Florentine
Area: 2.8ha
Yield: 7.4t/ha