Land beginning to soak: The somewhat dryer conditions of recent days had enabled some growers to get back out on land and there were bits of spraying done. But the weather did not deliver the prolonged cold spell and so frozen ground did not provide an opportunity to get out on land that was not dry enough.

The combined cold and damp have helped to slow any pest and disease progress and that is important too. With a lot more rain forecast, you might look to getting out this week if you need to get out now.

Grain prices: The recent text from Glanbia with regard to grain prices is a statement of where the market has dropped to. On Tuesday of this week the co-op offered its growers €170/t for dry wheat for next November and €158/t for dry barley. Prices appear to have moved up and down slightly again since then but there is still nothing happening to offset the sentiment related to the big oversupply of the last few years and the high carryover stocks.

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The market is making the statement that it has still not hit bottom, despite appearing to have done so a month or so ago. Indeed should we be fortunate or misfortunate to have another big global harvest in 2016 there is already talk of dry wheat at €150/t come harvest. This would put green barley in the €110/t bracket. These deplorable price levels can hardly be described as justifiable but market sentiment becomes a really strong force in times of continuous plenty.

Watch where you plant: So echo a comment from recent weeks -- there is no joy in planting poor acres that will not wash their face in this price scenario. Let common sense prevail and drop out poor patches in fields or even some poor fields to help farm profit. There is little point in adding a further production loss to the cost of poor rented land. You get the aid just for having the field. The market will respond to falling acres but it must be widespread. Currency is still helping us, even at these price levels.

Forward selling: This must always be considered but perhaps this boat has sailed for the time being. The Glanbia price puts harvest wheat at €170/t – this was €186/t in early December. And the same trend is true in green prices. We must pay heed to what the market is saying about price and oversupply has been driving the market since the middle of last year. Producers must be proactive towards selling.

There is little incentive to sell at current low prices but this should be considered within a ‘sensible price range’ should a spike occur. We do not have enough farm storage capacity to impact the market here post harvest and imports negate this option either way. Our main statement must be made before that by cutting acres planted. Deciding not to sell forward based on information is a decision. Ignoring the options available is gambling.