Apart from the north-west, the 2026 winter barley harvest is almost wrapped up, according to Teagasc tillage specialist, Shay Phelan.

The winter oats harvest continues apace with the earliest winter oilseed crops also combined.

Phelan said: “The winter barley harvest has been disappointing from a yield perspective.

"Crops were impacted by a wet winter, a cool spring and then drought conditions in May, June, and again in July.

“And when all is said and done, I wouldn’t be surprised if the average winter barley figure came in at below 3.5t/ac.”

On the upside, however, farmers are reporting that the grain quality of the barley crops cut up to this point is quite high, with specific weight values ranging from the high 60s to low 70s.

“This is particularly the case with two-row varieties. Grain sizes can be that little bit smaller where six-row options are concerned," Phelan said.

Winter crops

The Teagasc tillage specialist added that the harvesting of winter oats has also started.

"It’s too early to get a sense of what yield figures are looking like. But moisture levels are in the range 12-13%.

“I am also hearing the first of this year’s oilseed rape crops have been harvested. Moisture levels are down at 9%.

“My worry here is that these crops have been harvested a full fortnight earlier than was the case last year.

“I would have preferred that crops got that extra fortnight to fully maximise their full yield potential," he said.

Met Éireann

Meanwhile Met Éireann is confirming that the warm, settled conditions look set to continue this week and probably beyond.

High pressure will remain dominant over the next seven days, bringing generally settled and very warm conditions.

Temperatures will remain above average nationwide with below average rainfall also. However, there is potential for some heavy showers or thunderstorms later in the period.

While confidence levels beyond this are less certain, current indications suggest that high pressure will remain the dominant driver of Ireland’s weather.

Conditions will remain warmer than average as a result with below average rainfall nationwide. However, a few showers cannot be ruled out.

According to Met Éireann, the indications for July, August and September are for above-average temperatures, with rainfall is likely to be below average.

Mean temperatures during this period are signalled to be above average overall; all three months are likely to trend between 0.5° and 1.0°C above normal.

The likelihood of higher-than-normal temperatures is strongest in September.