Archive Article: 2000/08/04
N IRELAND
GOOD weather and healthy crops got harvest off to a positive start, but barley at £71/t is dominating grower sentiment.
"We are giving it away at that price. Hopefully, that is as low as we will have to go to," says Pat Turley of Downpatrick.
He has taken 32ha (80 acres) of Angela yielding 8t/ha (3.25t/acre) at 18% moisture and 64kg/hl out of a total 80ha (200-acre) barley crop this year.
"It is proving to be a healthy variety and is yielding an extra 0.5t/acre."
Late-tillering barley has delayed some, despite near drought conditions up to last weekend. In Co Tyrone farmers weekly barometer grower William Russell was hoping to cut Regina during the week.
"We normally have barley cleared in July," he says. Yield should surpass Jewel and Heligans 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) cut last week, he adds.
But in the north west, rain meant only 20% of winter barley had been done earlier this week and crown rust is causing concern on some wheats.
Oilseed rape yields are down for most, but Sentry Farmings Trevor Scott is very pleased with Maplus on an industrial contract at Burrows Hill Farm, Chatteris, Cambs. "It has done about 1.3t/acre, for this year that is very good."
• Reasonable yield reports.
• Harvest a week late.
• Drought concerns dowsed.
• Regional contact: Jeremy Hunt 01254-826168/167 fax.