SCOTLAND

1 August 1997




SCOTLAND

FOR once the west of Scotland is ahead of the east with much of the winter barley crop gathered. Yields are just shy of 3t/acre (7.4t/ha) but quality very variable.

Barometer grower Scott Adam at Kippen near Stirling started with 4.9t/ha (2t/acre) of Melanie on a heavy clay field last weekend. "It never recovered from a poor start. But quality was quite good at 1.4%N and screenings under 10%."

Dumfries farmer Ian Wilson nearly finished Pastoral feed barley, but was held up by the weather on Tuesday. Yield was just under 7.4t/ha (3t/acre).

Further down the Solway coast John McMyn says soft stems are making combining difficult. But with plenty of straw about, less will need importing from the east.

Alan Whiteford, north of Inverness admits to deep frustration as heavy local showers delay harvest. "It has been the worst summer for downpours since 1985. Reports from neighbours suggest fair yields but nitrogens anything from 1.4 to 1.8%."


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