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Yields of spring barley in the 2018 harvest in NI were up by 10% from last year’s levels to 5.17t/ha, according to figures released by DAERA on Thursday.
The 2018 spring barley crop is close to the five-year average yield and reflects the more favourable harvest conditions compared with autumn 2017.
The poor autumn last year meant less winter crops were planted and spring barley acreage in NI was subsequently up by 6% to 14,900ha.
This, plus improved yields, meant that total spring barley production in NI was up 17% in 2018 to 77,000t.
Production drop
Yields of wheat and oats were back by 9% and 10% to 6.97t/ha and 5.05t/ha respectively in NI this year, with dry weather during the summer blamed for the reduced crop.
With acreage of both crops down in NI this year, total production of wheat and oats is down by 29% and 20% to 47,700t and 10,200t respectively.
Winter barley
Winter barley yields were up 2% on last year’s levels to 6.93t/ha, but with the area planted down by 18%, total production decreased by 17% in 2018 to 40,300t.
DAERA figures indicate that yields of potatoes (ware and seed combined) were down 16% year on year to 32.61t/ha.
Total potato production in NI this year was 25% lower than 2017 levels at 116,100t.
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