Significant progress has been made in the harvest during the last seven days. Crops continue to ripen about a week ahead of the normal calendar schedule. Winter barley has been almost all cut in many areas, with yields still varying wildly, from 2.5t to 4.5t per acre (6.25-11.25t/ha).

Oilseed rape crops are now being harvested, with excellent yields being reported, and near-perfect harvest conditions minimising pod losses and seeing low moistures achieved off the combine.

Straw continues to be in high demand (see page 3), and has been moved off fields quickly. Winter wheat and spring barley is still a good fortnight away. Ripening has slowed, with the rain that fell sure to help grain fill. We caught up with a few farmers around the country to see how their harvest is progressing.

Robert O’Shea, Littleton, Co Tipperary

I got 3.8t/acre of winter barley, which is starting to look like a good crop this harvest. That said, I was disappointed, as it looked a bumper crop. Crops around here are varying from 3t/acre and under up towards 4t/acre. Straw yields are good – around 12 bales/acre, although I’m not baling. I’m selling in the row and it’s definitely a seller’s market. Spring crops look decent, if a little dirty. There was a late flush of weeds that were hard to control. I’ve sprayed off one field. Crows are becoming a real problem. They’re almost out of control.

Anthony Reynolds, Edgeworthsown, Co Longford

I cut the winter barley last week, and was happy enough with it. Quality was good, and it yielded 3.75t/acre at 14% moisture. The grain produced around here would be mainly sold to farmers in the area or consumed on farm – there’s not too much tillage here. Straw demand is always high and, as a result, the bales sell themselves. Straw would be making about €17 for a 4x4 round bale ex-field. The spring crops look OK, but they won’t be anything exceptional. Price is the biggest issue. We need very high yields just to cover costs.

Alex Jeffrey, Rathcoursey Midleton, Co Cork

We started on Tuesday of last week, cutting Infinity white label seed for Goldcrop. It yielded 3.7t/acre at 16 moisture and bushelled 64. We then cut Carnival. It yielded over 4t/acre at 20% moisture, bushelling 60-62. We strip-tilled with a Sumo drill having given a run of a Claydon straw harrow, and it seems to suit our lightish shaley soil. We also use biosolids. I find they help to achieve consistent crops. I find it clean of weeds and wild oats. The spring crops look good at this stage, particularly the beans.

Tom Short, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow

We have completed the winter barley. A crop of Cassia contracted for roasting was rejected due to high protein and yielded disappointingly – not much over 3t/acre. Our oats yielded better, but bushelled poorly. On the other hand, our winter oilseed rape crop was superb, yielding 2.2t/acre at 9% moisture. It was contracted to Quinns at a decent price, so I have to be happy with it. Straw demand is higher than for quite a few years, with yields good too. Our spring crops have promise – grain fill is now crucial. Our beans look excellent.