Harvest Report

Headlines

• Harvesting is virtually completed in most areas with in excess of 95% of the spring barley harvested and approximately 75% of the winter wheat harvested.
• Yields are considerably less than those achieved in recent years but there is considerable variation between yields. Winter oats has bucked the trend with yields having held up well and quality very good.
• Demand for barley straw has been very strong in the south but but not quiet as good in the Leinster region. Demand for wheaten straw is poor. Yields of straw are much increased on last year.

Winter Barley

Harvesting was completed under reasonably good conditions. There was very little lodging in the crop. Yields were poor, averaging 6.5 tonnes/ha (2.6 t/acre) approximately at 18-20% moisture. Yields ranged from 4.3-8.6 tonnes/ha with moistures ranging from 14-23%. Quality was moderate with some high screenings, most notably in the six row varieties, and most specific weights were in the high fifties to mid sixties.

Winter Oats

Harvesting was completed under satisfactory conditions but some discoloration had taken place in the later harvested crops. Lodging was minimal. Yields were excellent averaging 8.1 tonnes/ha (3.2 t/acre) approx. with most crops in the range 7.2-8.9 tonnes/ha at 15-18% moisture. Quality was quite acceptable with most specific weights in the mid to high fifties.

Winter Wheat

Less than 25% of the crop remains to be harvested. Yields are in the range 5.0 -11.0 tonnes/ha (2.0-4.5 t/ac). The average yield is likely to come in at just under the 8.5 tonnes/ha (3.5 t/acre). Quality of the harvested crop is quite acceptable despite the high level of disease prevalent in crops from an early stage, with most specific weights in the low to mid seventies in the green samples. Some discoloration of grain has taken place but with no adverse effect on quality.

Spring Barley

In excess of 95% of the crop is harvested. Extremely variable yields are reported between crops and between varieties with no set pattern emerging. Yields are in the range 3.7-8.4 tonnes/ha (1.5-3.4 t/ac) with most moistures in the range 15-21%. Average moisture is a little over 18%. Yields are considerably less than those achieved in recent years, averaging 5.5 tonnes/ha (2.2 t/ac). Quality is good despite the poor yields with specific weights in the low sixties. Proteins in malting barley are generally satisfactory (less than 10%).

Spring Wheat

Approximately 25% of the crop is harvested.

Yields are very variable ranging from 6.5 -10.0 tonnes/ha.

Spring Oats

Harvesting is virtually completed as the main area of oats was down to winter oats.

Yields are in the range 5.6-7.7 tonnes/ha. (2.3-3.1 t/ac) averaging 6.2 tonnes/ha (2.5 t/ac). Both colour and quality is very good with hectolitre weights in the mid fifties, a point or two back on last year.

Oilseed Rape

Winter oilseed rape was harvested under satisfactory conditions. Yields were averaging 3.7 tonnes/ha (1.5 tonnes/acre).

Peas

Harvesting of the 330 hectares is virtually completed with yields similar to last year. Yields ranged from 4.0-6.5 tonnes/ha (1.6-2.6 t/ac) averaging 5.0 tonnes/ha (2.0 t/ac).

Quality was somewhat back on last year with more discoloration of the grain. Moistures are averaging 20% but within a range from 17-30%.

Straw

Yield and quality of straw is improved on last year. Demand for straw is very much regional dependent. Barley straw prices have remained hard since the start of harvest, particularly in the southern parts of the country with somewhat less demand in the Leinster region. Barley and oaten straw is generally making €6-€9 for 4ft x 4ft bale with small square bales of barley straw making 85c-€1.15 each.

Higher prices are being paid in deficit areas and also for the big square bales which can facilitate easier transport over long distances.

Trade for wheaten straw is sluggish. Yield is well up on last year on an increased area of winter wheat, culminating in a over supply of wheaten straw. Prices of €5.50 are being paid for the 8x4x4 square bale by those buying and baling for the mushroom composting trade.