The 2019 winter barley harvest has commenced in a number of areas in the south of the country this week. While it is still too early to get an indication of yield and quality, in general growers are optimistic about the potential of the majority of their winter crops. The ripening of winter barley seems to be particularly mixed this year, with the majority of crops still ranging from one to up to three weeks away from harvest. However, ripening appears to be more rapid in recent days. Many winter wheat and oat crops are still very green, but some early oats are turning.

Crop progress

Winter crops in general exited the season at an advanced stage due to growth in the good autumn and mild winter. However, crop growth slowed considerably during May, where growth stages caught up with what would be considered normal for the time of year. Since then, winter crops have enjoyed a long grain-filling period, which consisted of a mix of cool, dull and sunny conditions.

Straw

Straw demand was high earlier in the season, with many growers having already committed a proportion of their crop. The influence which the higher acreage of winter barley in traditional spring barley strongholds will have on the straw market this year remains to be seen.

Grain prices

Grain markets remain uncertain, but it seems most likely that they will be back considerably on last year, when high prices caused subsequent difficulties for Irish grain.

Cheaper maize meant prices of our cereals dropped considerably and at one point it looked like green barley price could fall below €130/t.

Uncertainty with regard to US maize plantings and the impact of the incessant rain on yields there, brought some strength back into the market to give better forward prices.

Green barley price offers rose to €150/t, but at the moment it would appear that green barley might settle either side of €145/t, with wheat indicated around €155/t.

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