Wet underfoot in Fife
Andrew Peddie is dreading combining the rest of his winter barley at Cornceres Farm, Anstruther, Fife.
“We snatched 4ha of winter barley in the few dry days that we’ve had, and it hasn’t been disastrous,” he said.
Combined at 24% moisture, the Volume had yielded about 8.6t/ha so far. “I haven’t got it all dried yet, but it is around that mark.
“However, the forecast is for more rain tonight (6 August), and we will be going onto the heavier land soon.
“I’m dreading it, because we really struggled when spraying it off.”
Although the winter barley looked alright, it was unlikely to yield very well, due to the lack of sun, he said.
“It’s good and thick, so there will be lots of straw, which is valuable to me as a pig producer.
“However, getting it dry and off the field will be difficult, because it’s soaking underfoot. There is no transpiration because the crop is dead on top, so the soil can’t dry out.”
Very little had been cut in the area, added Mr Peddie. “A lot has been sprayed off and people are just waiting for the weather now.
“If it dries up there will be a lot cut this week, but harvest has only just started really.”
Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Volume
Area: 4ha
Yield: 8.6t/ha
