Growers are bracing themselves for another difficult week as the arrival of Storm Francis caused further harvest delays.
Some areas escaped the majority of the weekend’s rain and were able to recommence harvesting on Saturday evening. However, many others have just made a start today (Monday) while those further north were unable to harvest due to wet conditions.
Growers are now battling to save this year’s harvest as an estimated 50% of crops remain to be cut. Many spring barley, spring oats and winter wheat crops are now ripe and going black in colour, with increasing reports of sprouting, head loss and fusarium.
Smash and grab
Growers are out in force today in many parts of the country as they attempt to harvest as much of their crops as possible before the arrival of Storm Francis.
Grain moistures are reported to vary considerably, ranging from 16% in ripe spring barley to 24% in winter wheat.
Managed to get a bit of Isabelle spring oats cut today. The crop took a bit of a hammering from the weather during the week but with a bit of luck we should get it cut tomorrow and move on to spring barley before Tuesdays glorious’ weather arrives. pic.twitter.com/XN61vIcY2J
— Mark Delany (@MarkDelany6) August 23, 2020
Growers are highly concerned about the risk of further losses due to tomorrow’s forecasted stormy conditions.
Storm Ellen
Last week’s Storm Ellen delivered high winds and heavy rainfall, with the brunt of the storm felt in the south. Crops in the worst affected areas are severely tossed and there were widespread reports of head losses and grain shedding.
Lodging, ear loss and grain shedding in the south after #StormEllen in a difficult year for tillage farmers where over 50% of the crop is still on the fields. pic.twitter.com/gKEseDjbV2
— Teagasc Tillage Team (@TeagascCrops) August 22, 2020
In the worst cases, crops have been flattened, turning the harvest into a salvage operation. Thousands of acres of straw remain on the ground with little prospect of being baled this week.
Ground conditions are also becoming a challenge in areas, particularly on heavy ground.
With yields down across the board, grain prices under pressure, and with the continued broken weather forecast, 2020 is proving to be the perfect storm for tillage farmer’s incomes.
In pictures: our favourite harvest photos of the week
At least 25% rejection at malting barley intakes
From the Tramlines: normal play resumes as broken weather returns