Harvest started 10 days earlier than last year at Lincoms Farm, Hartlebury, Worcestershire, and yields have been reasonably pleasing.

Andrew Symonds combined 15ha (37 acres) of Flagon winter barley last Wednesday (13 July), and was pleased with a yield of 6.75t/ha (2.7t/acre) at 13.8% moisture.

“We struggle to get 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) on our ground, so I was pleasantly surprised, given the yields that some other people have had this year.”

At 1.65% nitrogen and with low screening levels, the crop would go for malting, he said.

“The barley looked better than the wheat through the dry period – we did irrigate some of the wheat, but not the barley.”

Mr Symonds had another 15ha (37 acres) of Flagon to cut. “There are still a few secondary tillers, so it’s a bit green in patches.

“Hopefully, as soon as we get a dry day we can finish it off.”

With no oilseed rape, he expected to have a break before cutting winter wheat, oats and spring barley.

“It’s all ripening together.”

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Flagon
Area: 15ha (37 acres)
Yield: 6.75t/ha (2.7t/acre)