IT's becoming a late harvest, with the changeable weather, and yields are down.

Nation Farmers' Union Yorkshire chairman Derek Watson has just finished getting in his winter barley: "Our yields are half a ton a hectare down on last year.

"Due to last autumn, we struggled to plant. Although the crop looked well all summer, and prices are a little bit better than last year, with lower yields we will be worse off."

There could be problems later, too, with shortage of straw. "Our straw is down a bit too, so straw could be scarce next year."

Like many other farmers in the region, Mr Watson didn't manage to sow his winter wheat. But, he says, where winter wheat is being harvested, it's half to one ton a hectare down.

"We've got peas and oilseed rape, too," he said. "Again, that's very disappointing. The overall returns to arable farmers is worse than last year. The arable farmer is really suffering. It's interesting that the country's two largest farmers, Co-op and Melcourt are both posting losses.

"My own view is that the good, well-run family farm will survive."

Derek believes the Government should be looking to supporting the smaller family farm with a good mix. "Those are the ones which will survive and they are the ones which keep the countryside and the hedges," he added.

Updated: 09:31 Thursday, August 23, 2001