Blue skies welcome for first cuts of silage in Caithness

Recent good weather has meant that local farmers are getting silage operations under way across the county.

Watten-based agricultural cattle breeding technician Willie Mackay pointed out that "a near perfect weather window" had led to a rapid growth of welcome grass.

He said: "Over the next few weeks thousands of acres of fresh grass on farms will be mowed down, baled and wrapped into perfect silage for winter keep for livestock."

Mr Mackay continued: “This is another busy period for our farmers and crofters in securing grass production into silage and, if the weather holds, much-needed hay.

"As the old saying goes, make hay while the sun shines. This also applies to silage-making and Caithness farmers are geared up to meet the operational requirements."

While out on AI duties Mr Mackay was pleased to see agricultural contractor Euan Grant making a start on a four-acre park of third-year grass for Graham Sutherland, Occumster, Lybster.

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