IN SCOTLAND'S countryside farmers are getting on with food production, with many using the dryer weather to get started on spring sowing.

NFU Scotland combinable crops chairman Willie Thomson said: “Following an extremely difficult start of the year for arable farmers across the country, many regions are now beginning to see some improvements and are able to start spring sowing. Which comes as a huge relief, especially at this strange and unprecedented time for us all.

“For us, in Lothian, the better weather has meant that we have been able to start sowing oats over the last few days and have managed to start sowing spring barley today (Wednesday March 25). We are of course having to choose where we sow carefully as there are still fields and pockets in certain fields which are too wet," said Mr Thomson.

“Elsewhere in the country our committee have reported a mixed bag. In the East Central area there has been an increase in the numbers getting out into fields, but many are still finding that a lot of fields are still too wet to work in.

“From Aberdeenshire we are hearing reports of much dryer conditions, although like those of us further south they are still having to choose fields carefully. Spring barley is getting sown as we speak and there are reports of winter crops beginning to show fresh growth as well.”