barley

It said "unusual weather" had resulted in this year's spring barley being ready to harvest earlier than usual - but it had also adversely affected the quality of the grain.

High on the Marlborough Downs, Mike Wilkins was testing his winter barley when I met him, breaking off their ears and grinding them in a small machine to see how dry the grain is.

Neil White, an arable farmer near Duns in the Scottish borders, says he could almost double the amount of barley he grows.

Sir Geoff's academic work saw him invent the barley abrasion process - which involves deliberately damaging the protective husk of grains to speed up the process of malting.

He runs a traditional mixed farm, with cattle and pigs, alongside fields growing wheat, barley, peas and beans.