Winter barley harvest averaged 3.75-3.8 t/acre
The increased supply of quality Irish protein crops has made it possible for millers to produce rations exclusively made from ingredients such as wheat, oats, barley, peas and beans exclusively produced in Ireland.
He said an even cheaper option for livestock farmers who have cash in hand and facilities for storing grain is to buy it off the combine harvester.
He said the grain market is in a lull between the winter barley harvest and the other crops, but prices may have strengthened somewhat due to increased demand for native grains following IFA’s protest against unloading of imported barley at the Foynes docks in Limerick.
He predicted the winter barley harvest will average out at 3.75-3.8 tonnes per acre, following quality improvement as the harvest went on.
He predicted that winter oats will trade at €10 over barley, due to reduced yield, at about 3.0t/acre.
Early malting barley crops are yielding 3.1-3.3t.
Mr Dunne said winter barley straw is about €2 per bale dearer this year, ranging from €10 to €15 per bale, depending on local supply. He said big square bales (8x4x3) are making €25 in strong supply areas such as Co Kildare.
