The Irish Farmers Journal understands that Boortmalt suppliers are being hit with a €12.50/t drying and energy charge on grain.

It will be applied on all grain irrespective of moisture levels, although grain forward sold at €250 and €270/t, €150/t shy of the current price, will be exempt from the charge.

The moisture bonus and penalty is also set to rise to €3 per point. Thus, grain at 16% moisture would receive a moisture bonus of €12/t, with a drying/cleaning charge of 50c/t more.

As growers harvested barley they were informed that the split of brewing and distilling barley of 70% and 30% respectively will be strictly imposed on each grower.

There is currently no leeway on brewing and distilling specifications. Distilling barley must be under 8.8% protein, while brewing must be between 8.8% and 10.8%. Last year, a derogation allowed grain up to 9.3% protein to be accepted for distilling

Any surplus barley delivered will be paid at feed price, according to Boortmalt. This feed price has not been disclosed, and growers are saying barley delivered surplus to the distilling or breewing contract is not separated into a feed heap, despite receiving feed price.

New limit

A new kilogrammes per hectolitre (KPH) or bushel limit is being applied. The Irish Farmers Journal understands a bonus of 50c/t will be paid for each point on the KPH scale above 64, while barley will be rejected at a KPH below 63.

Quality, like yields, have been excellent so far, with KPH levels in the high 60s and over 70, so this is unlikely to be an issue this season. However, the protein restrictions are proving difficult for many.

IFA grain chair Kieran McEvoy said negotiations on a range of issues are continuing.

These include the impact of forward contracts and the manner in which strict protein levels are being applied.