The Idaho Barley Commission says it is helping barley producers contend with catastrophic losses in the 2014 malt barley crop.

Unusual monsoonal moisture blanketed much of southern and eastern Idaho during the first two weeks of August, causing the mature but unharvested malt barley crop to sustain severe sprout damage. This is resulting in as much as 60 percent or more of the crop being rejected for malting purposes and being dumped as much lower-valued feed barley.

The commission says it is fielding questions from barley producers on feed market alternatives and crop insurance questions. It is sizing up the extent of losses and helping farmers find ways to mitigate the loss. The commission also is reaching out to local cattle and dairy feeders, West Coast feed users and potential export customers to identify appropriate market options for the unexpectedly large volumes of feed barley (the rejected malting barley).

The commission says it is also communicating with the USDA Risk Management Agency, crop insurance companies and growers to understand what quality losses will be covered under various barley crop insurance policies.

Source - http://www.idahostatesman.com/