Winter oats bucks trend of lower grain harvest returns

HARVESTING was virtually completed in most tillage areas last week, with more than 95% of the spring barley and approximately 75% of the winter wheat harvested.

Yields are on average considerably less than those achieved in recent years, but there is a very wide range of crop performance, and winter oats has bucked the trend with yields holding up well, and quality very good.

Another piece of good harvest news is very strong demand for barley straw in the south. Demand for wheaten straw is poor, but yields of all straws are much increased on last year.