MINCH MALT, part of Greencore, announced yesterday that it is to close Banagher Maltings in Co Offaly next September with the loss of 10 full-time jobs.

WINTER and spring cereals are generally growing well with little disease, according to Teagasc advisers.

DRINKS giant Diageo was warned yesterday it will not have an industry in Ireland to supply it with malt unless the prices paid to farmers are greatly increased.

IFA has warned that the trend which saw more than 3,000 Irish grain farmers quitting in the past five years will continue, unless malting barley get a premium of €20 to €25 per tonne, plus competitively priced inputs.