Better weather over the past week has enabled harvest to catch up quickly at Lockdhu Farm, Nairn, Morayshire, says Hamish Forbes.

“It’s made a big difference – we had decent sun and wind which really brought crops on very quickly – we’re well through it now.”

Harvest was about 80% complete in the area, and later drilled spring barley was not yet ripe, he said. “It looks fine, but it won’t be ready for about a week.”

Yields had been fairly good, if not barn busters. “We had Optic, Braemar and Waggon spring barley, which has averaged 6.2-6.8t/ha (2.5-2.75t/acre) – and quality has been very good as well.

“The maltsters are moving it from farm quite quickly, and the price is going the right way, too.”

Saffron winter barley yielded above average on the farm’s light land, at 7.9t/ha (3.2t/acre).

Crop: Spring barley
Varieties: Optic, Braemar and Waggon
Yield: 6.2-6.8t/ha (2.5-2.75t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Saffron
Yield: 7.9t/ha (3.2t/acre)