Spring barley worries persist

7 September 2001



Spring barley worries persist

Headline suggestion: Spring barley worries persist

WITH 50% of spring barley combined and 15% of winter wheat, quality of spring barley is becoming a major concern for Eildon Grain’s Jim Lofthouse.

"The quality of malting is poor with splits and skinning and quite a bit of fusarium. As far as I can see it’s affecting a large amount of the crop, and I don’t expect much of the other 50% to be malting standard."

Wheat quality is good. "It is mainly biscuit wheat in the Borders. Claire is good quality and has protein up to 12% with Hagbergs over 120-150."

Despite a good week’s weather he thinks farmers are still behind and with more showers in the next two days, harvest is likely to continue for another 3 weeks. The spring barley crop is likely to get worse and time will tell for the wheat.

"This rain could slow down the circle of drilling and thus making harvest late for next year. It could turn into a vicious circle."

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