Defiant growers press on in the north of Scotland
Defiant growers press on in the north of Scotland
By Shelley Wright
THIS years harvest in the north of Scotland is one that many farmers will want to forget – if they ever finish it.
But in the central belt and south of the country, the bulk of harvest is home with better than expected wheat yields. But thin patches mean overall averages will be down, says Glencore Grains Ian Simpson.
"Along the east coast we are down to the last 10% of spring barley, but north of Stonehaven theres over 40%. They have had a different weather pattern altogether – it really has been a game of two halves."
Near Keith in Banffshire, grower Colin Smith is putting a brave face on the poor progress. "Its certainly not at the stage of writing off fields yet. I can remember when we were still cutting spring barley in November, so we are not panicking too much at the moment.
"But we just dont seem to get more than a few hours of dry weather at a time. I have cut just 40 acres of Optic in the past week and that has been averaging 25% moisture."
Reports from the trade show spring barley quality is beginning to deteriorate, with fusarium, splits and skinning the main headaches. About 35% of samples sent to maltsters are being rejected and the drop in feed barley prices to about £58/t ex-farm has done nothing to ease farmers despondency.
In the Black Isle, Ross-shire, Alan Whiteford normally reckons to finish harvesting and baling by Sept 15, but still has much of his crop left to cut. "This year has been absolutely appalling with hardly two dry days in a row. I still have 200 acres of barley and wheat to cut. Everyone is at the stage where they are snatching what they can, whenever they can. People are desperate to get finished."
But Charlie Birnie, development manager with United Cereals of Scotland, says there is little sign of them doing that in the next few days. "I would say that there is still about 30% of the spring barley and 80% of the wheat left to cut in the north."
Barometer grower Tom Robb had been rained off for a full week as of Tuesday. "We have had two combining days in the past fortnight. I would think we are now running a good 10 days behind."
There is still 105ha (260 acres) of wheat to cut at the two farms he manages near Invergordon. And with the weather turning colder there is little chance of crops drying in the field, he admits.
SCOTTISHPROGRESS
• East coast, central and southern regions nearing finish.
• North stuck with worst weather.
• Quality all but gone.
• Cut at any moisture now.