Cooney Furlong agronomist, George Blackburn, recognises that malting barley prices are under pressure at the present time, as there is extra supply in the system.

Uncertainty is also a feature within the Irish whiskey sector.

However, Blackburn also points to international markets being very volatile. To a large extent this volatility has been driven by the introduction of import tariffs by the new US administration.

So where does this leave spring barley growers in 2025?

According to the Cooney Furlong representative, the focus for farmers should be on securing the highest brewing yields as possible. In practical terms, this means hitting a crop protein figure in the range of 8.8% to 10.8%

Blackburn said: “With sowing dates being so early, the yield potential of all spring barley crops is going to be exceptionally high this year. It then becomes a case of getting the protein levels within the crop up that little bit.

The agronomist also pointed out the role the land available may play in crop yield.

“Certain types of land are also predisposed to producing spring barley crops with inherently low protein levels," he said.  

“Higher yields reduce crop protein levels by default. And we saw this factor kicking in five years ago.

“Protein is the percentage nitrogen in the grain. Given current market conditions, spring barley growers do not want to be producing barley crops with very low protein levels."

The Cooney Furlong agronomist points to malting barley being incredibly important to Ireland’s tillage sector.

“This is particularly the case for growers in the Wexford area, who are at a geographical disadvantage to the rest of the country on feed grains in terms of haulage," he said.

“Malting barley is still a better premium than anything else.

 “With regard to the development of sustainable tillage into the future, the crop has to be very much part of growers’ plans.”

Meanwhile, the Cooney Furlong agronomist foresees spring barley crops in Co Wexford going through their growth stages at a very steady pace in 2025.

“This means that there will be a steady update of nitrogen over the coming weeks," Blackburn said.

“Nitrogen applications of up to 125 units per acre are the target for this year. The scope also exists to put the remaining nitrogen on across two splits: 70% now and the remainder in a fortnight or so.

“The later nitrogen will help boost crop proteins that little bit into the specification range that suits the brewing industry.

Blackburn also highlighted the potential of using a growth regulator on crops.

“Applying a growth regulator to high yielding spring barley crops is also an option this year. The extra cost will be more than made for by the final returns that the crops will generate.”