Other crops being considered in some areas include beans & peas which are a useful source of protein and good break crops. Trade sources say spring barley sown may be down by as much as 30% this year due to grower concerns over poor harvest prospects.

However the cold weather has increased demand for feed & reduced grain stocks significantly. In addition poor weather conditions has also reduced plantings in important markets such as Germany, Russia, Spain, Ukraine so Irish cereal prices may be better than expect next autumn.