Soggy in Strathisla
Tracked combines are making life easier in Perthshire, where Adrian Ivory has recorded 100mm of rain a month since May.
“We’ve already had over 100mm in August so far. The wheeled combine just has to stay on firm ground, and we haven’t got much of that at the moment.”
Mr Ivory was managing to combine today (15 August) at Strathisla Farms, Meigle, Perthshire; and, having finished winter barley, was starting on Optic spring barley at a neighbour’s farm.
“We share a combine, and he sprayed off the Optic so we will be the first people cutting spring barley around here by a week.
“I have a later variety, Toucan, at my farm, which is two weeks away, so that will spread the workload.”
The Optic was coming off at 19-19.5% moisture and 6.2-7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre).
Cypress winter barley, for pearling, averaged 7.3t/ha (2.95t/acre), with Volume coming in at 8.4t/ha (3.4t/acre).
The winter wheat was likely to be ready in about a fortnight, said Mr Ivory.
“I also had to sow spring wheat after potatoes, as it was so wet at the back end of last year, and it looks as well as any crop I’ve had.”
However, with spots of rain already falling, the weather was not showing signs of improving.
“We’re due another big dollop of rain tomorrow, and another on Saturday. I’ve just had enough – it’s the wettest spring and summer we’ve ever had.
“We’ve already used 7000 litres of diesel drying the winter barley, and I’ve had two fields of spring barley which have been written off – they’ve had water lying on them ever since May.”
Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Optic
Yield: 6.2-7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre)
Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Cypress
Yield: 7.3t/ha (2.95t/acre)
Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Volume
Yield: 8.4t/ha (3.4t/acre)
