USA, North Dakota: Barley is the only grain in Bottineau County of which more than 50 % of the crop has been combined. More than half of it has made malt quality but there are still a lot of acres remaining in the swath, Minot Daily News revealed on September 29.

Lonnie Zahn, grain merchandiser at Souris River Grain Cooperative in Russell said 65 % of the barley that came into the south-central Bottineau County elevator made malt quality. Unfortunately moisture content was high so producers binned their crop and are attempting to aerate it. But it's been too cool to dry down efficiently and that process is expected to take up to two months.

Despite the barley harvest being six weeks behind and wheat about a month behind, Zahn believes 100 % of the small grains will be combined in the next couple of weeks ­ provided the weather holds up. "This time of year, when one producer finishes up, he will help his neighbor and it goes fast," Zahn said.

Lonnie Brown, station manager at Souris River Grain in Antler, said a good share of the barley that has come into his elevator made malt quality as well. But there is plenty of the cereal grain remaining to be harvested. "I haven't seen malt barley come in this late before," Brown said.

01 October, 2004