Spring Barley - August

Combining spring barley, the drivers view. Combining usually starts about 10.00 am after the dew has dried from the crop. Even so the moisture content of the grain can remain high until the middle of the day.

Combining is dusty and operators sit in enclosed cabs with filters and air conditioning.

Straw is an important part of the barley crop's output. Straw is used for bedding animals through the winter as well as proving roughage as a feed. Spring barley straw is of good quality nutritionally compared with other straws.

Harvest time provides opportunity to get to see some of the other features in a field close up. Pylons can be a source of problem weeds but they can also be an excellent wildlife refuge too.