Fortunes mixed as combines start to roll

While rain has caused some problems, others are reporting great yields

Harvest 2017 is one of mixed fortunes for farmers across Scotland, according to NFU Scotland (NFUS).

An unseasonably wet summer has caused frustration on the majority of farms, with some growers warning they may not be able to finish up before the end of the season.

However, others have reported their best yields for years.

The union’s combinable crops committee chairman, Ian Sands, who farms at Townhead Farm, Balbeggie, said: “Harvest so far in Perthshire has been very stop start, with the past week being mostly stop.

“Oilseed rape has yielded well as has the spring barley and it has been of good quality.

“I would say it is the best yielding l have ever had.

“I have only cut just over 100 acres of wheat so far but it seems to be yielding well, although we are now really needing the weather to improve or quality might start to become a worry.

“All in all, harvest is going well but we need the weather to improve or things could end on a bad note.

“Also, most grain has cut at a higher moisture than usual which has meant higher drying costs.”

Meanwhile, Euan Walker-munro of Mains of Kinnettles, Angus, said he still had 50 hectares of oats to cut.

He said: “Early established wheats have yielded well, but poor on the later spring barleys – though the early clue there was needing to irrigate to get them to germinate.”

In Aberdeenshire, combines are beginning to roll again this week, with growers hoping to dodge the rain.

The union’s livestock committee chairman, Charlie Adam, who farms near Alford, said: “Crops have been slow and uneven and late in ripening despite appearing well on earlier in the season.

“There is a lot of straw lying wet in the bout.”

Further south in the Forth, Clyde and Ayrshire regions many farmers are preparing themselves for salvage jobs if weather does not improve soon.

NFUS said growers in these areas were reporting harvest at a complete standstill.

Picture: Kris Miller. Growers are hoping to dodge the rain this week for harvesting.