Boortmalt is still accepting grain following last Thursday, and is still doing so as we go to print.

It is understood that flexibility is being shown where farmers have in-spec barley, but whose grain is mostly distilling grade.

This lower-protein barley (8.8-9.3%) only comprises 30% of individual contracts, meaning some farmers have delivered less than half of their contracted tonnage.

It is too late for many farmers who have delivered their barley for feed. Irish Grain Growers chair Bobby Miller expressed their frustration.

“At the start of the year, the indications were that Boortmalt would handle the brewing/distilling in house.

“It’s too late to offer flexibility now when many growers have sold in-spec barley for feed, having been told not to tip up and store barley.”