Spring is doing what is usually does these days, in delivering very little in the way of useful moisture.

With only 22mm in March, 18mm in April and not a drop so far in May, we are very dry, and some lighter land crops are starting to show it.

With the awns just peeping on the winter barley, it is easy to see the drought-affected areas, especially on some of our shallow soils over rock.

See also: Tips on weed control in farmyards and near arable buildings

About the author

Neil MacLeod

Neil MacLeod manages 1,600ha of mixed soils on the east coast of Angus, Scotland. The majority of the land is in arable production with diversified enterprises consisting of soft fruit, sitka spruce, environmental stewardship, and renewable energy.

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The irrigator has already been out applying an inch of water over the Sitka Spruce nursery stock, as this crop needs to get moving to ensure the trees achieve sufficient growth to harvest, come the winter.

If they don’t achieve the required size, we don’t get paid, but they will grow far too big if kept in the ground for another year.

To help mitigate against the effects of the dry springs, we aim to establish the whole farm in winter crop, which poses far less risk come the spring and keeps us away from the gamble of growing spring malting barley.

Another way we have attempted to derisk the dry springs is through the increased use of liquid fertiliser, having moved from a fully granular system five years ago to what is now a predominantly liquid approach.

There is no doubt this has been the correct move, with the uptake of liquid less reliant on rainfall and less susceptible to volatilisation than some granular products – benefits we see throughout the growing season.

The construction of our new grain store has been delayed by the discovery of an underground lade which runs right under where our new 5,000t store needs to go.

This lade would have supplied the water required to turn a mill wheel.

Having survived a shed being built over it in the 1970s, it unfortunately lies directly in line with one side of the new grain store, where eight footings need to be situated.

There is an element of sadness when a historic discovery like this is made, not with regards to the delays it creates, but more the fact the beautifully crafted stonework briefly uncovered will once again be buried, never to be seen again.