Growers angered by malting barley prices

The meeting heard that a major frustration for farmers is that feed-grade grain, such as winter feed wheat and barley, is now more profitable per hectare than high-quality malting barley (pictured), which undergoes strict scrutiny for premium beverage brands. File photo: Moya Nolan

Irish grain growers have warned this year's malting barley price leaves production unviable.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) held a National Malting Barley Growers meeting in Co Carlow on March 10, where frustrations over pricing and contract reductions dominated discussions.