Cold, dry conditions have produced excellent conditions for sowing spring crops and planting potatoes. However, some warmth and decent rain are now needed to kick start growth.
Reports from around the country suggest that the wet winter has been hard on those crops sown in Autumn 2020, but that they have come through that and still look to have potential.
On the market, difficult growing conditions across Europe are driving up prices with weather conditions looking as though they will affect yields. There is also some optimism about how the sector has and will continue to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Looking forwards, NFU Scotland’s Combinable Crops Chairman Willie Thomson, who farms at Wheatrig near Haddington said: “With the new presidential team in place, and the Scottish election not far away, the committee will be taking a fresh look at the cropping sector in May to identify our priorities.
“Climate change is going to be a policy priority for the next government – irrespective of the political party elected – and so for farmers too. The cropping sector has been on the front foot in terms of shaping climate change policy.
“A farmer-led arable sector climate change group, established by the Scottish Government, has already published its report to guide politicians, policy-makers and the industry as we ensure future agricultural policy for the sector is fit for purpose.
“NFU Scotland’s combinable crops committee was well-represented on the group, which has identified positive measures that arable farmers can take to mitigate climate change and the next steps that Scottish Government should take to make these happen.
“The Union will be working with our members and policymakers to get the right actions in place to tackle the climate emergency in a way that works for members’ businesses”.
