Growers should get commitments

ALL grain growers have been urged to look for firm commitments from buyers that they will pay “the proper market price” for supplies.

North Cork IFA Grain Committee chairman Bernard Vaughan said there will be an anticipated shortfall of 250,000 to 300,000 tonnes of native grain this harvest.

In order to secure supplies some merchants are quoting from €175 to €185 per tonne for green barley and €195 to €200 per tonne for green wheat.

However, Mr Vaughan said grain growers should be looking for a guaranteed minimum price of €190 per tonne for green barley, and €205 per tonne for wheat this harvest. If these prices are not forthcoming, growers should retain ownership and do a deal on drying and storage, he said.

Mr Vaughan said grain growers are very disappointed at the recent Dairygold announcement of €130 per tonne on account for green barley.

He said he had received an assurance from Dairygold, however, that this is only a cash-flow price, as they wait to see how the harvest progresses.

Mr Vaughan urged grain growers to look for guarantees from Dairygold and other merchants, prior to delivery.

A promise should be sought from buyers to pay a top-up at the end of the harvest to reflect the true market price of grain this autumn, he said.