Agriculture With its Old Red Sandstone roskc, and fertile soils Orkney has been home to farmers for at least 5,000 years. The ecomony is geared to producing mostly quality grass-fed beef cattle, with some dairying and sheep. Bere Barley Bere Barley Boots in Bale Combining Barley Combining Barley County Show County Show Oat Harvest Hay Making Orkney Auction Mart Westray Cows Sowing Ploughing Shapinsay Show Sheep Silage Making Silage Making Silage Making Silage Making Potato Harvest