Persistent rain leaves industry on its knees

Countrywide delays in harvest, silage-making, tattielifting, baling, planting and slurry spreading caused by the seemingly endless unsettled weather have left farmers struggling to cope.

And at this week’s meeting of the NFU Scotland’s board of directors, members from every region of Scotland outlined the growing toll of the problems being caused by the persistent rainfall.

Arable farmers reported substantial amounts of cereal and potato harvest still to be completed – while ground conditions were making ploughing and planting of winter crops difficult.

And the significant volumes of straw still to be baled were not only a headache for those wanting their fields cleared to sow the next year’s crops but this also threatened to leave livestock farmers short of winter bedding.

In many areas the livestock sector was reporting that silage-making still hadn’t been completed and stocks were likely to be insufficient to see them through the winter.

And with cattle housed earlier to avoid destroying grazing fields, this fodder was being eaten into months earlier than normal. This also meant that slurry stores were filling up, a problem compounded by the fact that ground conditions were preventing spreading from taking place.

“Farmers and crofters are well used to dealing with the weather but this year, more than most, the elements are truly testing their resilience,” said union president, Andrew Mccornick.

“Everything is proceeding on a stop/start basis, as they dodge between the rain to make the most of any dry spell, and that is only adding to the frustration.”

He said that the wet weather was also adding costs for all

“Cereal growers face a costly drying bill so that their crops can be safely stored without spoiling. Livestock keepers, with some herds already housed, will need more winter feed and bedding while facing difficulties in spreading slurry.”

But he also pointed out that the weather was hampering the industry’s efforts to comply with rules and regulations, especially with deadlines fast approaching.