It was a fairly variable picture given the conditions for Jonathan Arnold’s barley harvest in Hampshire.

Pearl winter barley yielded 6.25 to 6.9t/ha, which was as expected. Fanfare was yielding well with average nitrogen levels of 1.55-1.75%. By comparison, Pearl nitrogen levels were higher, he said. “The nitrogen isn’t a problem as it’s about the same every year.”

Flagon barley was producing greater yields but lower nitrogen levels.

He said: “There were some very poor crops, and some very good ones.”

Screenings at 2.5% were lower than last year.

Instead, the problem was the size of the grain, but given the lack of rainfall he was not surprised.

“The crops got three to four weeks ripening in a week, so they went off too quickly.”

He added that his spring barley, which should be ready in a week, will also be a pretty mixed bag.