I was astonished to read on the Irish Farmers Journal website over the last few days of some growers having almost finished their winter barley. Ours is still some way off. I know with high temperatures it can come in very quickly but even still, I would be surprised if I were cutting before the middle of next week.

The rain over the weekend combined with a variable forecast is not what’s needed at this time of the year. I hope I get the Round-up and pod sealant out as soon as possible – it has been delayed by the broken weather but the sooner it’s out, the better.

We also wanted to make a small amount of hay and that too has been delayed. We just weren’t ready during the very fine dry spell in mid-June and we have not had a chance since then.

Wheat

Last week I mentioned I had sold some of my wheat and barley forward. With the benefit of hindsight, I definitely moved too soon on the wheat, with the same buyer from whom I had accepted €146/t coming back with an offer of €148/t for the rest of my feed wheat. The barley price has moved up to what I had already accepted, €135/t.

On the beef side, I have never had as many farm inspections as this year, not from the Department or Bord Bia, but from end customers wanting to see the operation, look at the cattle and their feedstuffs and examine my records.

I have no problem with the principle and I was struck by how they liked the fact that I fed our own wheat or barley for energy, our own beans for protein and, of course, our own grass.

Key question

Whether an extra price will emerge after everything is of course the key question. We are now selling a few bulls on a weekly basis and, so far, I have more Us than at the same time last year but I have a feeling that the best-bred animals are coming fit earlier and grading better so the quality and my returns may tail off as the year progresses.

Mentioning the beans, I don’t think I have ever had a crop as dense and high at 5ft to 6ft. There seem to be lots of pods but, like oilseed rape, it is very difficult to judge the yield in advance.

There is definite evidence of some downy mildew in the beans which we have sprayed against and hopefully, fully controlled. So, the gates are now shut on all the crops while we wait for the harvest to begin.