Wet conditions continue to keep combines at bay in parts of Scotland, with Neil Thomson rained off today (20 August) at Caverton Mill Farm, Kelso.
 
“We had a good dry spell about a fortnight ago which meant we cut all 20ha of our winter barley dry,” he said.

“But we had a deluge last night while cutting a neighbour’s winter barley and that’s stopped the combine.”

Mr Thomson’s Cassia winter barley yielded about 9.38t/ha, and came in at around 14% moisture.

“We’d planned on cutting rapeseed today at our neighbour’s but its too wet and it looks as if there’s more coming.

“We were also going to be on drilling rapeseed today but that too has had to be put on hold,” he added.

While combining had been slow at Caverton Mill, one neighbouring farmer had been cutting until 1am over the weekend to try and make a hole in their large acreage.

Mr Thomson expected his spring barley to be ready to cut by the end of the week, although with close, humid weather, he still had plenty to do before making a start in that.

“We’ve also got Cordiale, Viscount and Robigus winter wheat in the ground too but that’s a while off.”

Crop: Winter Barley
Variety: Cassia
Area: 20ha
Yield: 9.38t/ha