Early start to harvest this year heralds a mixed bag
Despite still being in the early throes – and currently held up by the weather – Scotland’s grain harvest looks to be mixed bag this year, despite an earlier than normal start.
With combines rolling almost two weeks earlier than last year, NFU Scotland’s crops committee yesterday reported that most winter barley and oilseed rape crops had been gathered in in good fettle, with little drying required.
But despite progress into the spring barley and winter wheat crops being halted by a return to more changeable weather, the knock-on effects of the drought conditions over summer had already been in evidence in some areas. As predicted, the severe shortage of rain during the summer has had an effect on yields – and on straw even more so than on grain yields.
The Union welcomed reports of choppers being turned off and significant volumes of winter barley and rape straw already baled, but stressed the importance of its on-going campaign on straw and fodder – and urged those needing straw for the winter to plan ahead and collaborate with neighbours and suppliers on straw and feed supplies and, if necessary, look at alternatives.
Committee chairman Ian Sands, who farms in Perthshire said that although rain had stopped play winter barley and most oilseed rape had been cut in his
area, with average yields. On his own farm the first of the spring barley had not been as bad as expected, although straw yields were well back.
Wheat yields on light land had been disappointing but on heavy land yields were quite good, said Sands – but he added that straw yields were again well below the norm.
“This year, more than most, accurate figures on Scotland’s harvest will be vital as growers and their customers try to match supply with likely demand.”
Urging all with crops to take the time to complete the NFUS arable survey which would be sent to producers shortly, he said it was crucial that the union had figures which would give them a grasp of how crops had performed around the country.
In Lothians and the Borders early indications have also been mixed.
Willie Thomson who farms at Wheatrig in East Lothian said that winter
oilseedrapehadyielded3.8 tonnes per hectare which was about 0.4 tonnes back on average:
“We have also made a start to some continuous wheat which is also well back on average at about seven tonnes per hectare. Other wheat which is still to cut looks to have much better potential.”
Also in East Lothian, Kelvin Pate said that winter barley yields were back half a tonne on heavy ground but even more on poor ground.
In Berwickshire Neil White reported that things were slightly better in his area.
He said: “Winter barley was around or just below average but with bold, dry grains and good quality. The oilseed rape seems very good so far.”
In the North-east of the country, winter barley had ranged between 1.2 tonnes and 3.7 tonnes per acre, although most had been harvested dry. Much of the rape crop still awaits harvest.