With harvesting hopefully about to recommence this week, it would appear that many merchants consider €125/t as a likely green price for feeding barley.

While this is a long way from a price level that makes economic sense to a grower, it is somewhat better than the numbers indicated in recent weeks.

A number of merchants have already paid €120/t on account for green barley.

IFA price request

Earlier this year IFA grain chair Liam Dunne asked that a minimum price of €135/t be paid for green feed barley.

Based on estimated yield levels of 7.9t/ha and 6.8 t/ha for winter and spring barley, 7.4t/ha and 7t/ha for winter and spring oats and 9t/ha and 7.2 t/ha for winter and spring wheat, these crops will all result in negative margins.