# Scottish spring barley: Lessons for farmers in 2026 - Farmers Weekly

> Scottish malting barley faced high screenings and nitrogen problems last year, with growers reporting a £70/t loss on failed grain. Baird's is closing its Pencaitland Maltings early next year, and Diageo has halted Roseisle Maltings until at least June 2026. Barley use fell 18% in a year to 115,000 t.

- Date: 2025-12-25 · published 2025-12-25T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: market · region UK · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/21581-scottish-spring-barley-lessons-for-farmers-in-2026-farmers-weekly
- Commodities: [Barley](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BARLEY.md)

## Why it matters

Falling malting demand and surplus feed barley weigh on UK barley values. Consolidation in the malting and distilling sector reduces contract opportunities for growers.

## Read by commodity

- BARLEY: bearish ▼

## Sources

- fwi.co.uk: https://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/barley/scottish-spring-barley-lessons-for-farmers-in-2026

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.