Scottish farmer Hamish Forbes said spring barley is 10 days behind last year and he has just started cutting 100ha of Optic and Troon.

Although he has not had any samples tested yet, he said malting quality is generally good in the area, and nitrogen has been low. Yields have also been good and farmers have been pleased with results so far.

But forty hectares of Pearl winter barley was disappointing at 7.5t/ha, which he said was affected by the cold June/July. He said there was plenty of straw and grain quality was good.

Wheats are also behind and he expects them to be ready in a fortnight, but he doesn’t believe the spring barley on heavier land will be finished until September.

• Crop/Variety: Optic and Troon spring barley


• Area: 100ha


• Yield: N/A


• Quality: N/A

• Crop/Variety: Pearl winter barley


• Area: 40ha


• Yield: 7.5t/ha


• Quality: N/A