Boortmalt has offered potential new malting growers in Donegal the same contract terms and pricing options as existing growers further south.

The most recent forward price offer from Boortmalt to growers was €173.50/t for grain that meets the spec.

The company is seeking to expand its malting barley intake by up to 50,000t and has met with farmers in counties Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Galway, Longford and Cork, in a bid to increase its existing base of 670 growers.

The company is linking with local agri-businesses in counties away from its traditional base to coordinate seed orders, crop agronomy, grain testing and logistics on behalf of Boortmalt.

Peter Lynch, Donegal IFA grain chair, welcomed the move, saying that any additional market options to growers around the country is a positive development for the sector.

However, he added that there had been some misconception around the price on offer to new malting barley growers: “New growers will be offered the same contract and pricing options as existing growers.”

Boortmalt begins search for Donegal malting growers

Boortmalt offers €167.50/t for 2018 malting barley

Boortmalt seeks extra 50,000t of malting barley

Virtually no grain-growing county has been left untouched, as Boortmalt expands its growers base beyond the traditional malting barley growing areas.