Grangecon’s David wins barley award

A west Wicklow farmer has been recognised for his growing skills as he picked up the Seedtech ‘Hybrid Barley Grower of the Year’ award recently. David Lalor from Grangecon accepted his award from Andy Doyle of the Irish Farmers Journal.

David’s advisor Martin Burke, Teagasc Wicklow, was also presented with an award in recognition of the agronomic support he provided.

Seedtech’s Arable Consultant Aidan Moore, initiated the competition to highlight the superior return on investment a farmer can achieve from choosing to grow Hybrid Barley. The competition was judged on yield, on grain quality, and crop husbandry. Speaking at the prize-giving Aidan said ‘In low price scenarios, it’s the return back to the farmer from what they spend that’s important, not the actual spend. Hybrid Barley gives back more than three times more money than the extra costs of the seeds’,

‘I’m really pleased to receive this award from Seedtech in recognition of growing a good crop of Hybrid Barley,’ said award winner David.

‘ This was my first time growing Hybrid Barley, and given the difficult growing conditions I encountered, I’m really surprised with the yield and grain quality. I would like to thank my advisor Martin Bourke from Teagasc for the help he gave me deciding input strategy and the timing of key operations,’ he added

Opening weanling sale, September 14:

There were 450 weanlings on offer at the opening BB Weanling Show & Sale. 1st Prize BB Hfr owned by Mr James Doyle, Bagnelstown 1 BB Hfr 440kg @ €1370, 1st prize BB Bull owned by Seamus Osborne 1 Bull 472kg @ €1410.

Prices: Export Bulls 2.503.05 per kg, Export Hfrs 2.60 – 3.11 per kg, Feeding Bulls 1.90 – 2.40 per kg, Feeding Hfrs 1.85 – 2.55 per kg. Sheep sale, September 15:

There were 4100 sheep on offer with good demand for all classes with prices similar to last week.

Sample prices: 18 Lambs 48kg @ €106.50, 17 Lambs 47kg @ €103.50, 36 Lambs 34kg @ €81, 25 Lambs 35kg @ €83, 30 Lambs 39kg @ €87.50, 45 Lambs 32kg @ €77, 23 Lambs 42kg @ €87.

Butcher & Factory Lamb over 50kg €95 - €108, Store Lambs: over 35kg €76 - €91, under 35kg €65 - €85, Ewe Lambs €82 - €117, Cast Ewes €45 - €108, Breeding Ewes: Hog Ewes €115 - €180, Older Breeding Ewes €90 - €140, Breeding Ram €300-€720, Older Breeding Ram €100 - €200. to €830 over €/kg, Store Bullocks over 400Kgs €460 to €685 over €/kg, Store Bullocks over 300kgs €380 to €615 over €/kg, Beef & Butchers Heifers €520 to €820 over €/kg, Store Heifers over 400Kgs €400 to €620 over €/kg, Store Heifers over 300Kgs €320 to €525 over €/kg, Beef Cows €220 to €480 over €/kg, Feeding Cows €110 to €200 over €/kg, Calves Fr Bulls €110 to €200 per head, Cont. Bulls €210 to €415 per head, Cont. Heifers €160 to €335 per head, He/AA Bulls €160 to €285 per head. Sheep sale, September 10:

3,000 Sheep on offer. Similar trade as last week for heavy lambs.

Sample prices: 55 kg - 57 kg - made up to €114, Suffolk X Ewe Lambs made from €95 - €140, 45 - 50 kg made from €94 - €110, 40 - 45 kg made from €85 - €100, Store lambs made from €65 - €95, Cast Ewes from €45-€102, Breeding Ewes from €125 - €195 Hoggetts, 2,3, & 4 y.o. made from €95 - €155.

100 Rams on offer making from €120 - €550. Cattle sale, September 14:

Heavy Beef Cattle slightly easier. Lighter and forward stores, heifers and bullocks met with a strong trade.

Some sample prices: Bullocks: 358kg €950 CH, 577kg €1,000 AA, 600KG €1,125 LM, 710kg €1,100 FR, 720kg €1,400 SM.

Heifers: 260kg €500 CH, 315kg €575 LM, 346kg €675 HE, 460kg €900 LH, 557kg €1050 HE.