The winter barley harvest is now under way in the southern half of the country. Wednesday’s rain saw farmers taking stock after the first few days of cutting. Early reports are of good yields and quality, with the 10t/ha (4t/acre) target being reached in many fields. Some crops, mainly in east Cork and along the seaboard, were relatively poor, with Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) suspected as a factor.

We spoke to growers about how crops are looking and asked them about the market expectations for grain and straw.

James Hegarty, Whitechurch, Co Cork

“Harvesting only started here after the weekend, but the early results seem fairly promising. It’s too early for price indications, with all the uncertainty around the US crop. That said, it’s a bit rich to be hearing the benchmark for our grain price is the American and South American maize price, the same maize Mercosur beef is being fed on. The feed trade has got to come clean on what is going into Irish rations, and not just for the for Irish grain farmers. It’s vital for the status of our dairy and drystock herds in the long term.”

James English, Cahir, Co Tipperary

We started into Belfry, a six-row winter barley variety. Moisture was 21%, with bushel weight 64. Yields are 8.75t/acre (3.5t/acre) or maybe a shake with it. All our winter barley is six-row, mostly Belfry and Bazooka, two hybrid varieties. We also have winter wheat and oats, oilseed rape, spring barley and beans. There’s a big demand for straw from the grain crops, we’ll chop the rape and bean straw.”

Bobby Miller, Rathmore, Co Laois

“I’m optimistic about crop yields and quality. Winter barley yields could touch 10t/ha (4t/acre). “Winter oats are coming in quite quickly, I’d be hoping for 8.75t/ha (3.5t/acre). Spring barley crops at this point are looking well.

“Growers need a base price of €170/t for barley,” said Miller, who is chair of the Grain Growers Group. “It’s all to play for. Global grain consumption is rising every year beyond yield increases. The August US maize report will be critical. The €140-150/t that some merchants are talking about is of no use in the long term.”

Growers are doing deals for winter barley straw at €18 to €20 per bale, he said. “It’s very good value at that.”

Mark Browne, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

“We’re just getting going here, a lot of the crop in Wexford is ripening slowly, which is often a good sign. Yields of winter barley seem good, and it’s bushelling up to 65KPH, which is decent.

It’s a little early to say what kind of price we will get for grain. I’d be optimistic that prices will trend upwards when the full picture from the US is known. We finally got a good price last year, but yields were poor, it would be good to get a decent price and yield in the same year”.