Winter barley yields are proving extremely variable in Wereham, Norfolk, where contractor Cliff Armsby has cut 162ha (400 acres) of Pearl so far.

“It has just died off on the light land, which has not had any rain for months.”

Yields ranged from 3.7t/ha to 7.4t/ha (1.5-3t/acre), depending on soil type, he said. “The grain is a bit pinched.”

Some farmers in the area had just started combining oilseed rape, and Mr Armsby expected to be into his own rapeseed at Squares Farm over the weekend.

“It looks better than the barley – it’s held on quite well. The wheat wasn’t looking bad, but it’s gone off rather quickly these past few days.”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Pearl
Area: 162ha (400 acres)
Yield: 3.7-7.4t/ha (1.5-3t/acre)