Abstract.Plots of spring barley, winter wheat and winter barley were sheltered with netting in a coastal area of North‐East England. Crop height, yield components and grain yield were measured and compared with unsheltered crops receiving the same agronomic treatments. Plant height, ears m‐2, 1000 grain weight and grain yield were increased by shelter in seasons with windy, dry weather during the tillering and stem extension phases. Negligible response was found in a wet season. One experiment suggests that greater applications of nitrogen fertilizer can counteract the effects of expos