With grain prices expected to be up around £20/t, good recent growing conditions and strong demand for straw, there is a positive outlook among growers for the 2021 harvest.

Although there will be no definite price indications for barley coming off the combine until the harvest season starts, the value of green grain tends to reflect imported prices, and those paid by the major feed companies south of the Irish border, such as Glanbia.

Based on current markets, some merchants speculate that dried grain could well be trading around the £170 to £175/t mark with barley at 20% moisture content trading back in the low to mid £150 price range.

EU grain forecasts are ahead of the five year average, particularly for all winter crops and spring barley

While the price may well change once the harvest gets under way, at the outlined levels, dried grain would be well ahead of the £150/t recorded last summer.

On global markets, grain prices have eased in recent weeks on the back of improved harvest forecasts, and that has tempered some of the expectations for even higher local prices.

EU grain forecasts are ahead of the five year average, particularly for all winter crops and spring barley.

However, North America has been hit by high temperatures.

Weather patterns over the next month will determine the extent of the harvest in the US, and that ultimately could impact on local grain prices.

Contracts

At present, dried barley purchased on forward contracts for the autumn is around £185/t, compared to £196 to £200/t back in May.

Maize has also fallen in value on spot markets, down £20/t compared to late May with prices currently around £215/t this week before transport and handling charges apply.

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