Mainland farming businesses have donated more than 100tonnes of straw to help wet-weather stricken Orkney producers.
Ringlink and the Orkney Machinery Ring are working together to handle deliveries of straw to the islands, including lots which have been donated for free.
As of yesterday 12 farming companies, including Ringlink, had committed to donate around 130tonnes of straw to Orkney and three loads headed north to the islands this week.
Ringlink’s managing director Graham Bruce said the wet weather experienced by the island producers had created an unprecedented demand for straw.
He said the machinery ring had sent around 1,300tonnes to the islands since May – this is up more than 700% on the same period last year when 160tonnes were sent north.
“The Orkney Machinery Ring places the orders with Ringlink and we then source the straw from our members and arrange with the hauli9er to go and load and transport to the docks,” said Mr Bruce.
“The straw has to be 3/4 covered and once at the docks, only the trailers go on the ship and then a local haulier delivers to all the different farms in Orkney before the empty trailers are returned to the docks for the next sailing back to Aberdeen.”
Ringlink has also sent more than 500tonnes of feed barley to the islands since May.
The machinery ring is now urging any producers who would like to donate either straw or feed barley to Orkney producers to get in touch.
“We are happy to co-ordinate any donations,” said Mr Bruce.
The companies that have donated straw so far are: G A Reid; Kerr and Middleton; N Thow & Partners; P Chapman & Co; D M Carnegie; R & N Cessford; Hugh Gordon (A firm); S & Kerr; Thornton Farms; Sootywells Farm; Messrs A & J Simson; and Ringlink Scotland Ltd.
Orkney producers are being encouraged to look into whether or not they were eligible for financial assistance with haulage costs through rural charity RSABI.
Earlier this month the charity, which provides financial assistance to those who have relied on the land, launched the £130,000 Help for Straw Haulage fund.
The fund is designed to pay for up to 50% of the haulage costs of straw to Orkney farmers.
Applications to the fund are confidential and the funds will be paid on completion of an application form.
Payment is made if it is shown that there is a need for the straw and the farmer and family could face hardship as a result.
RSABI has also stressed that other financial aid is available to all farmers and crofters.
It urged anyone who is facing hardship, feeling stressed or worried about paying bills to call the charity’s confidential helpline.
The helpline, which can be reached on 0300 111 4166, is open every day of the year between 7am and 11pm.