The persistent dry periods and hotter-than-usual conditions are constraining yield potentials. Yields of for winter cereals are down and forecasts for spring barley have been revised downwards.
Above-average temperatures prevailed in Ireland throughout July with maximum temperatures close to 30°C in the South East.
Rainfall was well below average and soil water levels remained critical in most areas, affecting the yield of winter cereals during the grain-filling stage. Spring barley is reported to look very variable, and rainfall is needed for spring barley at the flowering phase.
The first harvests of winter barley and oilseed rape started two weeks earlier than usual in most areas of the country with reported yields down for winter barley with rapeseed yields currently just below the five-year average.
The yield forecast for winter wheat has been revised downwards due to the temperatures and lack of rainfall, which shortens the duration of grain filling.
Areas of Concern – Extreme Weather Events
Source: JRC MARS Bulletin Vol 26 No 7 – weather data from 1st June to 15th July 2018.
