Returns hit by cost of drying (From Western Telegraph)

Returns hit by cost of drying

3:20pm Friday 3rd October 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

The cost of drying grain salvaged from this year’s harvest will impact heavily on any returns, says one Pembrokeshire arable grower.

Phil Rees, who together with his father Bryn grows 150 acres of barley and wheat and 30 acres of maize near Haverfordwest, estimates that his drying machine will be running for four weeks.

Rain and the lack of sunshine have prolonged this year’s harvest with many farmers forced to combine crops at far higher moisture contents than usual.

Bryn Rees, who represents Pembrokeshire on the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ farm tourism and diversification committee, said conditions had been appalling.

“We’ve had one wet day after another here for weeks until earlier this week so it’s only now that we can have a clear run in what can only be described as a salvage operation,” said Bryn, of Creampots, Broad Haven.

“Ideally, we will need five to six dry days to make any real impact on our harvest.

“But whatever the weather we are going to have to use the gas-guzzling drying machine for some four weeks. Together with the huge increase in fuel costs for the combine and baler we are already looking to much poorer returns than last year.”

He gave a lukewarm welcome to the temporary exemption from the cross compliance requirement restricting vehicles on waterlogged soil in Wales which is aimed at helping farmers to complete their harvest.

Rural affairs minister Elin Jones announced the temporary exemption, granted because of the exceptional weather conditions, will last until Saturday, subject to review.

She agreed the recent weather conditions, with rainfall far and above average for this time of year, are creating problems for farmers, particularly those harvesting crops.