Arable sector is ‘praying’ for rain due to ‘drought’

According to Co Down arable farmer Allan Chambers both winter and spring sown cereal crops are struggling badly in the current ‘drought-like’ conditions.

He said: “I have never seen conditions like this before. Last winter was one of the wettest on record. This was followed by one of the driest spring periods that I can remember. Heavier soils are now cracking and have a concrete-like consistency.

“Later crops sown out into these soils are now struggling badly because of the very large moisture deficits that have been created.

“Winter barley and wheat crops are also struggling. They need moisture now to ensure grain fill and to meet the bushel weight quality standards required by buyers.”

Allan continued: “According to the long range weather forecast there is no rain of note expected in the East Down area for at least the next 10 days. To say that growers need rain over the next few days is an understatement. That said, there is nothing at all that we can do about it. But it’s not the end of the world yet. Crops would respond well if we got meaningful rain over the next few days.

“We have had a combination of dry weather and a drying east wind for most of the past two months. This is a unique set of circumstances for Northern Ireland.”

Allan also grows forage maize under plastic. In this case, the current spell of dry weather is not yet causing a problem.

“Given the cool night time temperatures, moisture is collecting under the plastic in sufficient quantities to allow for continuing crop growth,” he said. “Moreover, maize crops thrive in warm sunny conditions.”

Commenting on the current state of world grain markets, Allan confirmed a weakening in demand for both barley from brewers and maize/corn alcohol from the petrochemical industry in the United States.

He commented: “Given the very poor establishment conditions across most of Europe last autumn, cereal growers across the region have opted to plant large acreages of malting barley over recent weeks.

“This may well put pressure on all barley prices come Harvest 2020.

“The inevitable diversion of large US corn tonnages towards the feed market later this year will also put pressure on both barley and wheat prices here post harvest.

“But all of that is further down the track. The immediate requirement for grain growers in Northern Ireland is a return to more normal weather patterns: sunny intervals and showers.”