Grain Harvest Begins in Bauska Region; Farmers Expect Good Yield After Tough Years
Farms in Bauska municipality have started harvesting grain, with initial results indicating a good harvest following several challenging years.
Winter Barley Threshing Underway
On July 17, the farm "Upeskalni" in Vecsaules parish began threshing winter barley, according to owner Gints Liepiņš. He noted that the yield is slightly lower this year – an average of 6 tons per hectare – because the plants did not tiller sufficiently before winter. The exact quality is not yet known, as the grain has yet to be delivered to the collection point.
Strong Start in Codes Parish
Similarly, at the "Zeltkalniņi" farm in Codes parish, 50 hectares of winter barley were harvested on Friday and Saturday. Farm manager Ieva Litiņa described the yield as very good – the combine recorded 8 tons per hectare – with high quality indicators including protein content and cleanliness. Moisture levels ranged from 14.4% in the morning to 13.6% in the evening, resulting in low drying costs.
Outlook for the Season
Ieva Litiņa, who also serves as a crop specialist at the Rural Advisory and Education Centre, noted that the situation in the fields is better this year than in the past three to five years. If the weather remains favorable, winter rapeseed and wheat are planned for threshing later this week. So far, severe storms and hail have been only local, and while there is some lodging in the fields, overall conditions are within normal limits.
