This year’s winter barley yields have been extremely variable. Crops in East Anglia were the worst affected by the spring drought, which has resulted in lower yields and higher nitrogen content. Samples from light land crops generally have very high nitrogen content, though specific weights remained high. image expired

Although yields further North and West have served to raise the UK average (6.1t/ha), the UK yield remains below the 5 year average, according to the latest HGCA data.

Maltsters are still awaiting the results from barley harvested in Scotland to assess volumes of acceptable nitrogen levels available to balance out the crops from the South; some buyers have said nitrogen levels from the 2011 crop are the highest they have seen.

In light of this, the NFU has advised growers worried about the possible implications for their contracts to talk to their buyers. The union said there have already been disputes where farmers were being asked to pay the difference between feed and malting on crops which did not meet specifications, typically at the rate of £50/t.

However, results from the Scottish crop could still prove to be a game changer. As maltsters and brewers have yet to set an acceptable level, the NFU reminded farmers that many perceived problems could be talked through.