USA: Quality issues to be reflected in barley prices

Quality issues in this year's barley crop in USA are conclusively reflected in the cash prices as malting barley prices increased 15 cents in the weeks 41 and 42 to $2.65. Feed barley prices were stable at $1.70.

The extending spread between the two is a reflection of the fact that in spite of fact that in USA there was a small barley crop this year, the majority of the crop was graded as feed and feedgrain supplies are more than plentiful (especially with yields coming in much better than expected in many areas).

The small barley crop, on the other hand, was made even smaller as far as malting barley is concerned. Producers who had grain that tested around 2.0 ppm vom early on and were rejected should consider holding onto it and having it retested later as it may now be accepted for malting.

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