Combine harvesters are lying idle when they should be going flat out to bring in a bumper crop.

Optimism earlier in the year that farm incomes would receive a boost from higher wheat prices has turned to gloom as quality of crops deteriorates in the deluges and high fuel costs increase the expense of running vehicles and grain dryers.

Keith Parks, manager of ACS Ltd, the largest agricultural contractor in the Midhurst area, told the Observer this week: "Only about ten to 15
per cent of the harvest has been completed.

"We would normally be looking at 75 per cent completed by now.

"As a contractor we have 1,500 acres to cut, but we have done only 250.

"We have had a good long growing season this year with a lot of moisture, which means crops have grown to their full potential, but now the weather has turned.

"Milling wheat (used in bread) will lose its quality and will end up as feed wheat which fetches a lower price.

"There are not a lot of happy farmers about. We are pretty desperate."

Mark Chandler who, with his father Richard, farms in the Petworth area, warned that another ten days of wet weather could spell disaster for their wheat crop.

"We are pretty worried. We could be looking at rapid deterioration. Once it starts to sprout in the field, no one wants it – not even cattle.

"We had 1,500 tonnes in the shed this time last year, but there is only 100 tonnes there so far.

"We have sold some ahead of harvesting it, but if the quality is not there we don't get the price.

"Up until four or five months ago, we were very, very optimistic and we have had a good growing season, only to be kicked in the backside at the end.

"We need three dry weeks to salvage things."



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