Caithness harvest hit by heavy rain and strong winds

TRADITIONAL harvesting operations of spring barley and corn across Caithness in the past 10 days have received an unwanted setback as continuous showers of rain, sometimes heavy, with strong winds have battered the county.

Landward Caithness Councillor Willie Mackay, who travels through the county daily, said: "This wet spell came after a period of good, sunny weather – barley and oat crops were looking healthy, of good quality, and plentiful.

"Now we have the added problem of getting heavy harvesting combines, tractors and trailers into relatively wet fields. Ten days ago you would have bet on an early, bumper harvest – conditions and cereal crops in Caithness were looking well but now it has all gone pear shaped."

*Are you a farmer worried about the state of your crops? Let us know how the weather has affected you – comment below.