The winter barley harvest has now largely wrapped up around the country. Last week’s intense sunshine helped ripen crops, resulting in average grain moisture contents of anywhere from 12.5%-16%.

Yields and quality have been good, with farm averages coming in at 3.5t/ac to 4t/ac, with some growers reporting yields as high as 4.5t/ac in parts.

Growers report that poor areas of the field, such as those that suffered from waterlogging during winter and spring, have brought field averages down.

Specific weights are typically in the high 60s, with some two-row varieties surpassing 70KPH.

The oat harvest is well underway in areas. Reports so far are generally good, with many crops yielding between 3.8t/ac to 4t/ac.

However, yields of 3.2t/ac in the south of the country have also been reported. So far, moisture content has ranged from 15% to 18% with KPH values of 52 to 53.

Straw

Straw yields have been generally good in winter barley, but growers in some local areas had fewer bales than they expected.

Most straw was still green at the time of harvest and was left to mature in the sward for a day before baling.

Straw yields are ranging anywhere from 10 to 14 4x4 round bales per acre, with some reports as high as 15.

The straw market is still in a relatively early stage and while straw is moving, many have yet to settle on a price.

Prices reported so far however seem to be relatively consistent, with growers in surplus areas reporting that they had no difficulty getting €20/bale out of the field or €25/bale delivered to local areas.

In the high demand areas, straw is freely making €25/bale out of the field and £25 (€29.39) for the same bale out of the field in Northern Ireland.

All reports to-date indicate that longstanding customers are continuing to be supplied at the lower end of these price ranges.

Many of the winter oat crops will be chopped under the new Straw Incorporation Measure, which commands a payment of €100/ac.

However, some growers have opted to bale this year’s crop and so far, yields are reported to be good.