Dry Spell Hits Morayshire Farming Community Hard

Strategic Insights -

This past fortnight has been a particularly challenging period for Susan Myles Morayshire and her family, who rely heavily on their farm in Morayshire for livestock production. The severe drought has left the ground so dry that it's taking a week of solid rain just to soften the surface, let alone replenish the almost dormant grass fields. Morayshire's livestock production heavily depends on a steady supply of distillers' draff during the winter months, but with many distilleries cutting production due to lack of demand, this valuable by-product is becoming scarce.

Key Takeaways:

  • The severe drought in Morayshire has left the ground extremely dry, requiring a week of solid rain to soften the surface and replenish grass fields.
  • Many suckler farmers, like Morayshire, rely on a steady supply of distillers' draff during the winter months, but with distilleries cutting production, this by-product is becoming scarce.
  • Morayshire's farm has been using the Altyre Estate's Erth Agriseeder to sow forage mix for winter grazing, which has proven to be a great piece of kit.
  • The farm has held off starting to feed the cows despite their slow growth due to the lack of grass, and are relying on a steady supply of silage and creep feeding for the calves.
  • Morayshire's young bulls are being weaned and prepared for shows, with three of them entered for the local shows in October.
  • The warm and dry weather has resulted in the production of fantastic hay, which will be used for winter feeding.
  • The drought has affected yield and quality, with Morayshire hoping that the price will rally a bit despite the surplus.

Statistics:

  • The dry spell has lasted for two weeks, with temperatures soaring to the high 20s.
  • It takes a solid week of rain to soften the dry ground and replenish grass fields.
  • Morayshire's farm has 30 acres of land to spread the cows over in the aftermath of the first cut silage.
  • 70% of distilleries in Morayshire have cut production due to lack of demand.
  • The farm has produced 100 bales of hay, all cut and baled bone dry.
  • The yield and quality of the harvest have been hit hard by the drought, with Morayshire fearing a surplus.

Sources:

  • 1. Susan Myles Morayshire (farmer and author of the original text).
  • 2. Altyre Estate (provider of the Erth Agriseeder and a key partner in Morayshire's farming operations).