Winter barley yields average 3.4t per acre

THE winter barley harvest was estimated to have passed the 60% stage this week.

Yields are averaging 3.4 tonnes per acre, and new crop dried wheat and barley prices for nearby collection are ranging from €191 to €195, according to IFA.

European milling and feed wheat prices tended marginally lower early this week, with little fresh news in the market, and harvest progress reported in most countries. Worldwide, wheat use in feed to hit a 20-year high, according to the International Grains Council, due to its competitive cost compared to maize, and harvests beating expectations.

The use of wheat in animal rations is expected to reach 124 million tonnes, boosted by relatively ample global supplies of lower quality wheat following rain-damaged harvests in Australia, Canada and Germany last year, and an expected upturn in exports from the Black Sea region.