Winter barley looks extremely well at Colin Keevil’s Chapel Farm, West Knoyle, Wiltshire, but harvest is still about a week away.

“We sprayed off 150 acres (60ha) of oilseed rape eight days ago (3 July), and will probably start cutting it at the end of this week, early next week, subject to the weather.”

Me Keevil had 174ha (430 acres) of rapeseed to cut, followed by 45ha (110 acres) of Pearl winter barley.

“The barley isn’t going to be ready for about a fortnight. It’s looking really well, and I’m very pleased with it.”

However, spring barley had suffered in patches from the dry weather. “About 80% of it is alright.”

This year Mr Keevil was loading direct into Keysley grain store, Monkton Deverill, using a grain chaser bin to fill lorries.

“Last year we dried 900t of grain there from between 16% and 20% moisture, and it cost just £4500. We do have our own drier but it’s hardly economical to use it.”