Grain growers in parts of Cork, Tipperary and Kilkenny were first out of the traps to cut winter barley and the early reports are good.

Brett Bros took in 2,000t of early grain from growers in Kilkenny and south Tipperary.

“It’s very good so far,” Jimmy Brett told the Irish Farmers Journal. “It came in at an average moisture of 18%, a bushel weight of 65KPH and screenings of 3.3%.”

“It’s wonderful to have it coming in in good condition and in good weather,” he said. “Crops are ripening by the day and we expect to see the main winter barley harvest well under way later this week.”

Sean O’Sullivan of Dairygold said 600t of grain had been delivered to its depots from farmers in south Tipperary, east Cork, Kinsale and Castletownroche.

“Quality was very mixed but it’s only the very start of the harvest; you couldn’t pass judgement on it yet,” said O’Sullivan.

“600t is less than 2% of the winter barley we will take in. Weather allowing, by the end of this week the winter barley will be in full flow.”

In Cahir, Tom Lonergan reported yield of 4t/ac for 40ac of two-row Cassia on early ground at Rooska.

“Moisture was 17% to 19% and it bushelled 71KPH,” said Lonergan.

Jimmy Purcell on the outskirts of Clonmel cut over 100ac of the six-row variety Quadra last Friday and Saturday.

“It did 4.1t/ac at average moisture of 17% and bushelled 65KPH,” said Purcell.

In Cork, Conna grower Dermot O’Leary had his earliest start to harvesting in 50 years when he began harvesting last Thursday. “It’s a mixture of the six-row Escardre and two-row Cassia,” O’Leary told the Irish Farmers Journal, adding that it yielded over 4t/ac at a bushel weight of 68KPH and average moisture of 20%.

“It’s doing well so far, very well for a very early crop.”

In Riverstick, Andrew O’Mahony harvested the six-row variety Escadre, with early samples coming in at 17% moisture and 68kph.

A few growers have also been cutting in Co Louth in the past week. This was mainly Volume but there is also some Infinity harvested. The Volume is yielding about 4t/ac at just under 20% moisture and 63KPH. Straw yields are said to be back and brackling is already an issue.

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Up to €141/t on offer for winter barley