Malting barley growers set for offer

CONTRACT malting barley growers in the Banagher Maltings catchment area will be offered 50% of last year’s contracted volumes for the 2005 crop harvest.

The IFA announced the agreement after talks with Greencore Malt, which is proceeding to close the Minch Malt plant in Banagher, Co Offaly, as planned, in September.

IFA Grain Committee chairman Paddy Harrington said this was a welcome move by management at Greencore Malt as it affords traditional growers an opportunity to supply the home market, which represented 50% of last season’s contract tonnage.