A significant cohort of spring barley growers in the Wexford area have decided to push their crops in the feed direction, rather than go down the malting route this year, Agriland has learned.

There has been significant disquiet among these growers over recent weeks at the way in which the 2025 malting season is being managed by the key stakeholders involved.

Factors coming into play are the uncertainty of the contract malting tonnages on offer from the malsters and the fact that producing feed barley gives growers more selling options later in the season.

But the ‘straw that has broken the camel’s back’ according to sources, is the perceived threat of a €10/t drying charge on malting barley again this year.

Given this backdrop, growers are fast coming to the conclusion that pushing for extra yield, both in terms of both grain and straw, may well deliver the best spring barley margins in 2025.

And this is despite the fact that they have bought bespoke malting seed at almost €800/t.

In practical terms, this week will tell the story of what actually happens on farm. The coming days will see growers put out their final nitrogen applications on to spring barley crops.

And they have two options - commit to a malting/distilling specification or push on with extra fertiliser and target the feed market at the back end.

There is also a feeling in the south-east that if the feed barley route works in 2025 then this will be the mainstream spring cropping option for the future.

All of this is taking place at a time when tillage farmers can avail of the best spring planting season in living memory.

Ground conditions are excellent and all field work can be carried out in the most effective and efficient ways possible.

Adding to the ‘feel good’ factor for growers is the fact that all the winter crops drilled last autumn are in almost perfect condition right now.

The 2025 yield potential of all Irish cereal crops is immense at the present time. Meanwhile dairy beef and lamb prices continue to strengthen, with this welcome trend likely to gain further momentum over the coming months.

Moreover, this fact has not been lost on spring barley growers, many of whom now view the targeting of the various livestock sectors as their ‘go to’ option later in the year.

It will not take long to find out if this turns out to be the case.