Scientist sounds warning over country’s grain yield potential

Irish grain yield potential will be down 10% compared to 2011, according to crop modelling studies at UCD.

With world grain prices set to soar to new heights, UCD professor of crop science Jimmy Burke says the eventual Irish reduction in grain will be hit by factors such as poor harvesting conditions, plant diseases, and poorly filled grains which are an added feature of this year’s Irish crop.

“In some worst-case scenarios, grain yields could be reduced overall by 25% when all key factors are taken into account and, if current difficult harvesting conditions continue, losses could be much higher. As Ireland is already a grain deficit area and relies on imports to balance demand it is inevitable that there will be knock-on effects in terms of grain price, which will translate eventually to higher food prices this autumn.”