Nick Davidson has made the most of the best start to harvest he has ever had at Clola Farms, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

He had finished the 36ha of Volume winter barley, which yielded between 9.8t and 11t/ha.

“The winter barley harvest was excellent. It was coming off at between 13.5% and 16% moisture, which is unheard of up here,” Mr Davidson said. “Our drying costs have been next to nothing so far.”

The Cracker winter oilseed rape was also very pleasing, at 4.3-4.6t/ha and 8% moisture.

“It’s been well above average for us and we’ll be trying Mentor next year which will be new on the farm,” he added.

“The yields have been good across the board, although there have been mixed reports around the area.”

See also: Academy – how to best establish oilseed rape.

Mr Davidson hoped to be moving into the spring barley and winter wheat next week – weather permitting.

“Everything that’s still in the ground has been looking well up until now,” he said.

“The torrential rain and winds over the past few days have made crops throughout the area look a bit sick, but they are still standing at the moment.
 
“The weather hasn’t been good over the past few days, but it’s been worse further north from us,” he added. “Good luck to everyone out there for the weeks of harvesting still to go.”