Jim Whiteford is hoping to finish combining oilseed rape at Shandwick Mains, Tain, Inverness, today (23 August), before more showers arrive.

“We’ve cut 32ha of the 36ha, and it’s been a tiresome job with the showers,” he said. “It’s spitting with rain again now, but we’re trying to make the most of it.”

He started cutting the Sequoia and Cracker at 10-12% moisture on Sunday but it was now at 16% following heavy rain last night.

“I’d just like to get it finished off before the next shower.

“It’s yielding below average, at 4.2t/ha – last year we got 5t/ha. But ground conditions are okay – we missed the heaviest of the rain, and I know it’s pretty bad in other areas.”

Spring barley should be ready by the middle of next week, he added. “It looks alright – there are some blind sites, and it hasn’t had an easy time, but hopefully it will be okay.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Sequoia and Cracker
Area: 32ha
Yield: 4.2t/ha