05/08/2011

Thunderstorms have held up the barley, wheat and rape seed harvest on the Ireland family farm near Sleaford, Lincolnshire. After thirteen days of working long into the night the farming team take the chance to assess the situation, repair a small hole in the combine worn down by the grain, attack the paperwork and still be back home in time for tea.

The drought earlier in the year coupled with rain in May have left yields down by up to 40% on the farm. There are also real concerns about the impact the weather has had on the quality and therefore the price the farmers will be paid for the crops. It's a nervous moment for semi-retired farmer Tony Ireland when he takes samples of the wheat and spring barley down to the Open Field laboratory to check to see if it is up to the required specification.

Presenter: Charlotte Smith. Producer: Angela Frain.