11th September 2003
Easy harvest for Devon's arable farmers | |
|  | | It's been a good summer for Devon's arable farmers |
| | The dry conditions of late summer this year have led to one of the easiest harvests ever experienced by Devon's farmers. And, with the rest of Europe hit by drought, Devon's producers are enjoying unusually high prices. |
|  | | Farmers in Devon have described this year's harvest as "unprecedented" as a result of the warm, dry weather.
The helpful conditions have made this year's harvest the easiest ever experienced by many arable farmers in Devon.
While the lengthy dry spells this year has meant that yields aren't as high as they could be, the blue skies during harvest have been a real boost, and the quality of the yield is largely good.
 | | The dry weather has led to an easy harvest |
Devon's farmers are also benefiting from the drought problems being suffered in Europe, where yields are drastically down.
One farmer who's enjoyed a good harvest is Stuart Cole, whose family has a 400-acre arable farm at Nomansland in mid Devon.
"This year's harvest was unprecedented," he said. "It was a non-stop harvest - no delays at all. We didn't have to dry anything, so there were zero drying costs.
"I've run the farm for 12 years and for ease of harvest, this is easily the best year."
And it's a similar picture at other farms in Devon's arable stronghold in mid and east Devon.
 | | Most of Devon's arable farms are in the east of the county |
"I've talked to farmers around Exeter and it's the same story," said Stuart.
"The quality was higher on the barley and the oats. The wheat suffered a little bit with the drought earlier on.
"I think nationally, yields will be down - but that's also partly because the overall harvesting area is down."
The drought which has affected France and southern Europe has pushed prices through the roof - which is good news for Devon's producers.
"We've seen a 20% to 30% increase is prices this year because of the drought in Europe. In France, yield is 15% down and that is driving prices up."
 | back to the farming index |  |
| | | |
|
|
