Glanbia has announced a base price of €128/t for green barley, 33% back on last year’s equivalent price of of €193/t.

While co-op members can avail of top-up bonuses to increase that price to €141/t, this level of price volatility is hugely challenging. Even with good yields, €141/t won’t leave much margin.

Glanbia highlights that when seed and malting contracts are included, the average barley price is €166/t.

IFA grain chair Mark Browne told the Irish Farmers Journal that the price is very disappointing: “While grain markets are challenging, there is scope to place a higher value on native quality assured grain.”

Irish Grain Growers (IGG) chair Bobby Miller said the €3/t market support payment from the co-op compares unfavourably with milk price supports, which equate to €8/t.

Many co-ops and merchants in the south are operating either side of €145/t for green barley (ex VAT).

However, other merchants in surplus regions have indicated a base price of €130/t for green barley, with a possible top-up.

Dairygold is expected to announce its prices early next week. It has already paid €130/t on account (€137 including VAT) for feed and malting barley.

Overall demand for native grain should be strong this year as Ireland only has around 1.8m tonnes of barley and wheat to supply a native feed market of 6m to 7m tonnes.

The Glanbia price of €141/t includes a €3/t co-op support plus €10/t grain trading bonus for members who purchase qualifying inputs from Glanbia in excess of €60/t of grain supplied.

These criteria apply to all product prices, including contracted winter barley (€151/t), malting barley (€186/t), feed wheat (€148/t), uncontracted feed oats (€131/t), contracted feed oats (€141/t), food grade oats (€174/t), gluten-free oats (€188/t), oilseed rape (€355/t) and field beans (€213/t).