The malting barley harvest for the 2024 season is progressing with mixed results across Ireland and the UK. Boortmalt has reported that around 10% of the Irish malting barley acreage has been harvested, while the UK has seen approximately 60% of its barley cut. The current average yields stand at about 3 tons per acre, and the grain quality so far has been confirmed as good.
Recent poor weather has halted most combining operations, but this should not adversely affect the yield potential of barley sown in April, as these crops are not expected to reach full maturity for at least another week.
Jonathan Roberts, Boortmalt’s Barley Procurement Manager for the UK and Ireland, highlighted the positive outlook for later-sown barley crops, noting that they exhibit good yield potential and promising grain quality. The malting rejection rates to date have been extremely low, contrasting sharply with last year’s experience when rejection rates exceeded 50%. Farmgate prices for malting barley are currently around €250 per ton.
Boortmalt remains committed to investing in the Irish market, with significant plans to increase the malting capacity at their Athy site. The expansion, which aims to double the site’s capacity to 200,000 tons per annum from 2010 levels, will be carbon neutral, incorporating new heat pump technologies developed in-house and patented.
Roberts emphasized Boortmalt’s dedication to improving sustainability within the malting sector. The company is actively engaging with the Irish Farmers Association to promote higher sustainability levels at the farm level. Boortmalt is also evaluating the use of low-carbon fertilisers, which are produced using renewable energy sources like hydro, wind, and solar power. These fertilisers, while chemically identical to those produced from fossil fuels, offer a significantly lower carbon footprint and contribute to the overall decarbonisation of the food sector.
The 2024 malting barley harvest is underway with encouraging signs of quality and yield, despite recent weather challenges. Boortmalt’s investment in expanding malting capacity and adopting sustainable practices reflects a strong commitment to both quality production and environmental stewardship. The introduction of low-carbon fertilisers and increased collaboration with farmers underscore the industry’s move towards more sustainable practices, aiming to enhance both productivity and ecological impact.
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