Harvest time in CO. LAOIS

On a glorious day in Co. Laois, Noel Dunne visited two farmers in the thick of harvest 2026. First up is Willie Deegan who farms 500 acres – 100 he owns, 400 he long-term leases – split between barley and oilseed rape. He runs his own Claas Trion combine, which he changes every five years. Next up is James Miller who farms 70 prime acres of tillage land. James grows winter barley and oilseed rape and, this year, he harvested GLUTEN-FREE OATS for the first time. His baled straw went to the west of Ireland, and all contracting work was carried out by Harris contractors

Willie Deegan, Stradbally, Co. Laois pictured just after harvesting his crop of oilseed rape at the Garrons, Co. Laois. Cut in perfect conditions, the crop of Armada yielded 1.9t/acre at 8.2 per cent moisture.

Unloading the last tank of oilseed rape seed at Willie Deegan’s farm. This crop was destined for Quinns, one of the largest grain merchants in Ireland, and then on for pressing into oil for human consumption, while the pulp residue is used for animal feed. Oilseed rape is now a go-to crop for rotation purposes

Over at James Miller’s farm, he is wrapping up the oat harvest before it goes off for milling. He was happy with the results of the crop of Enya, which came in at 4t/acre at 15 per cent moisture content.