Co. Kilkenny cereal grower and contractor, Edward Delahunty, is predicting that the 2025 winter barley harvest will kick-off at the end of June.

But it all depends on the weather over the coming week or so.

Delahunty said: “Winter barley crops got off to a great start. They thrived throughout the dry spell during May and June.

“Then came the rain: if we get a decent spell of hot, dry weather over the coming week or so, grain fill will follow.

“That would set us up a winter barley harvest kicking off at the end of June. And if we miss that date, we are certainly looking at the very early days of July.

Delahunty is growing two winter barley varieties this year, including the six-row option Belfry.

In terms of weather, high pressure is set to build across Ireland over the coming days. This should set the scene for a period of dry weather.

It also opens up the prospect of a steady start to the 2025 cereal harvest, once it gets underway.

The vast majority of winter crops grown in Ireland this year are looking very well at the present time.

In contrast, many spring cereals struggled due to a lack of moisture during the recent dry spell.

Meanwhile, Delahunty is confirming that all his crops are also looking well at the present time, adding: “Maize that was sown out under plastic in March is extremely well advanced.

“Later-sown crops that were established without plastic have recently received a herbicide application.

“We also included some trace elements and growth promoters in with the tank mix. Despite the recent rains, tillage soils have remained exceptionally dry.”

He also said that his beet crops are also looking "tremendously well" at the moment.

"I know there was a problem with germination rates in the south of the country. But it was not an issue for us,” the Co. Kilkenny grower said.

Delahunty intends making the best use possible of the Straw Incorporation Measure over the coming weeks as the winter barley harvest takes place.

“If the weather holds, then the plan would be to bale all the straw," he said

"But if it becomes changeable the option is always there to chop the oat straw.

“We have the flexibility to push ahead in a way that allows us make the best use of straw, whatever the weather.”