All areas have seen good harvest progress over the past week. The spring barley harvest has now commenced in places, although this is largely confined to early March-sown crops in the south, southeast, Carlow and Kildare. Yield and quality reports have so far been variable, ranging from 1.8t/ac to 3.9t/ac, with specific weights of between 58KPH and 68KPH.

While many loads have passed for malting, there are also reports of loads failing due to high protein.

Skinning is an issue in some crops. The majority of the spring barley harvest is still seven to 10 days away.

Yields are expected to reduce significantly as the harvest progresses and it remains unclear what impact late tillers will have on malting quality.

Winter wheat

Reports from early crops of winter wheat are promising, ranging from 3.8t/ac to 5t/ac. Specific weights are proving good, ranging from 72KPH to 82KPH.

The area harvested is small, however, and the main wheat harvest is still a week away.

Winter oats

Progress with winter oats is variable with some growers now finished while many others have yet to start. Yield reports are positive, from 3t/ac to 4t/ac and quality appears to be very good, with average specific weights in the mid-50s.

Winter oilseed rape

Winter oilseed rape crops are proving to be the star performer of 2020 with many growers comfortably achieving 1.8t/ac, with some yields above 2t/ac. The harvest has wrapped up this week with growers now planning for next year’s crop.

Winter barley

The remaining few pockets of winter barley are being tidied up this week. Winter barley yields have proven extremely variable, ranging from 1.8t/ac to 4.3t/ac. Quality has been reasonable, however.

One commonality between all crops this season is the reduction in straw volumes, particularly from winter barley. Yields of as low as five 4x4 round bales/ac of barley have been reported.