Irrigation quenching ‘thirsty’ crop fields

Irrigators are working their way across fields the length and breadth of Scotland as growers try to give thirsty tattie and vegetable crops a much-needed drink.

Cereals growers are also crying out for rain amid reports many later-sown crops are struggling, leading to concerns yields for both grain and straw could be lower at harvest.

Farming union NFU Scotland (NFUS) is urging growers to only irrigate crops when it is absolutely necessary, and to work with neighbours in the same river catchment area to avoid irrigating at the same time.

It said figures from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) reveal a water scarcity across the country, with groundwater levels in the north-east exceptionally low, and levels in the south-west and east of the country starting to fall below the normal range.

Farm levy body AHDB’s arable knowledge exchange manager for Scotland, Chris Leslie, said crop variation was reducing as the later and poorly-established crops caught up, however split germination is likely to present difficulties in spring barley quality.

He added: “Straw potential will be variable as growth regulation has been applied knowing the nutrition was sat there.

“It may look like an early harvest is on the cards and growers will be keen to press the reset button and restructure soils as quickly as possible, so straw trade may be slow if fields are deemed to be not worth bailing.”

Meanwhile, machinery ring Ringlink’s managing director, Graham Bruce, said grass crops were also affected.

He said: “Silage crops are well back in yield compared to last year but members are reporting that the quality is good.”

Picture: Gareth Jennings. The dry weather has prompted extra irrigation.