300,000 Tonne Harvest Write-down as Weather Takes Its Toll

IFA National Grain Committee Chairman Noel Delaney said that the bad weather to-date has taken a significant toll on crops, reducing yield potential by at least 300,000 tonnes.

He said, “Torrential and incessant rain, coupled with below normal temperatures and low sunshine levels, have been taking their toll on crops. Winter Wheat yield average was 10.2 tonnes p/ha last year. However, current estimates for the 2012 harvest indicate a yield potential of 8.5–8.6 tonnes p/ha provided weather takes-up. This is significantly below the long-term average yield of 9.24 tonnes p/ha.”

“On the Spring Barley front, yields averaged 7.5 tonnes p/ha last harvest, but we are currently looking at a yield potential of 6 tonnes p/ha. Once again, this is well below the long-term average of 6.5 tonnes p/ha. Despite increased cereal sowings of 27,000ha, we are looking at a potential harvest of 2.1 to 2.2m tonnes, which is substantially down on last year’s harvest of 2.45m tonnes.”

Noel Delany said, “Growers are becoming increasingly concerned as there is nolet-up in the inclement weather conditions and yield potential slips with each passing day. Fortunately, prices continue to harden with Green Barley trading out over €200 p/t and Wheat €5-€6 per tonne higher. Hopefully the weather improves dramatically in the coming days or growers will be faced with a salvage operation.”