Growing crops 'more unpredictable and difficult'

NFU Scotland has recently highlighted the challenges faced by Scottish farmers in growing cereal crops due to unpredictable and difficult conditions. The farming body pointed out that the spring barley harvest this year has been ready for harvesting earlier than usual, but the quality of the grain has been adversely affected. These issues have been attributed to unusual weather patterns, with a dry spring impacting barley germination in some areas followed by further dry weather exacerbating the situation.

The impact of the weather on barley crops is significant, especially for malting barley which is a major Scottish crop used in whisky production. NFU Scotland has raised concerns about the quality of the grain not meeting maltsters’ specifications, potentially leading to rejection and financial losses for businesses. The timing of these quality challenges coincides with distilleries reducing whisky production and a global oversupply of grain putting pressure on prices, further complicating the situation for Scottish farmers.

Scottish farmers are described as being at the forefront of climate change by NFU Scotland, as changing weather patterns have made crop cultivation more uncertain and challenging. The combination of low prices, high costs, and erratic weather conditions has prompted some farmers to reconsider growing malting barley in the future. While the situation has been difficult for many across Scotland, some producers in Orkney have reported bumper yields due to favorable conditions earlier in the season, despite challenges faced in June with record-breaking rainfall.

Marty Hay, from J & S Hay agricultural contractors in Orkney, shared insights on the local farming situation, highlighting the success of the spring season but acknowledging the challenges posed by excessively wet weather in June. Despite the setbacks, the early harvesting of crops has allowed farmers to mitigate potential weather risks and maximize their yields. The busy farming season in Orkney has seen farmers juggling multiple tasks simultaneously to ensure successful crop management in the face of unpredictable weather conditions

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