The partnership announced this week by Boortmalt and Teagasc includes the appointment of a full-time malting barley adviser, reporting to Teagasc and covering the Boortmalt footprint from south Wexford to Laois.
"A knowledge transfer crops adviser, specifically for malting barley, will work with the sector by utilising current information from independent research and translating this into practical actions and independent advice at a local farmer level," said Teagasc director Prof Gerry Boyle.
Monitor farms
The two organisations will also work intensively with five monitor farms in the region, which will act as a knowledge transfer platform for other farmers to visit and learn from each season. They will continue existing activities including publications and participation in discussion groups.
All growers contracted to Boortmalt will receive discounts on soil samples from local Teagasc offices.
Same margin as winter wheat
Boortmalt and Teagasc have given themselves targets including:
"We fully believe that the specific and scientific expertise Teagasc brings will further improve our growers’ ability to consistently deliver malting barley in specification and also greatly improve their own profitability," said Boortmalt's group chief operations officer Peter Nallen. The agreement with Teagasc is part of the company's plan to grow Irish malting barley production by up to 40,000t in the coming years.
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