Harvest slips towards grain salvage situation

IN our wettest August since 1986 in much of the east and south, torrential rain is playing havoc with harvesting work.

IFA estimated early this week that 22% to 27% of cereals were cut, with 30% to 35% of barley and 10% to 13% of wheat harvested. All winter oats and barley was cut.

IFA Grain Committee chairman Paddy Harrington said all wheat was ready for cutting, and quality excellent. But if the weather did not improve in the next week, sprouting could become a problem and the harvesting would become a salvage operation.