Winter crops continue to grow at a normal pace but the broken weather and wet soils are delaying field operations. According to Teagasc’s latest crop report previous recommendations may have to be adjusted in many cases especially nitrogen splits, PGR and fungicides.
Teagasc also stated in the report that there has been limited progress with spring crop drillings, mainly beans, wheat and oats. Only 5-10 % of spring barley has been drilled to date, mainly on lighter soils. See updated recommendations inside on seed rates and fertiliser.
Photos of the moment from Teagasc:
Winter Wheat
Most crops are close to or at 1st node (gs 30/31), with some advanced crops at 2nd node (gs 32). Septoria levels are high but visible lesions are confined to lower leaves. Isolated cases of yellow rust have been reported from Dublin and Wexford in Oakley and Lion respectively. Mildew has not been reported so far. Field operations have been delayed and so recommendations may have to be adjusted if weather continues broken.
Winter Barley
Crops growth stages range from gs 30-33 with all crops benefiting from recent nitrogen applications and good growing conditions. However areas which were (or continue to be) water logged are yellow, showing stunted growth and will struggle to yield at this stage. Rhyncho levels have increased in two row varieties with brown rust evident in all six row varieties. Disease control and final nitrogen’s are a priority in all crops.
Winter Oats
Most crops are at the first node stage with advanced crops approaching gs 32. Disease levels are still low to absent.
Winter Oil Seed Rape
Crops have grown strongly over the past three weeks. All crops are at green bud to the first flowers appearing. Disease levels have increased with Light Leaf Spot reported widely. Pollen beetle is evident in some crops across the country. Growers should treat fields at risk from sclerotinia over the coming weeks (at the start of petal fall).
Beans
The first beans are just breaking the ground and so far, germination and establishment reports have been good. Due to the late spring, the area of beans is predicted to fall in 2014.
Peas
Peas are just emerging.
Spring Cereals
Spring cereal drilling has made very slow progress in recent weeks. It is estimated that only 5-10% of spring barley is drilled, mainly on lighter soils but most of the planned wheat and oats is drilled. Mid-March drilled cereals are just emerging (gs 11).
Spring Oilseed Rape
Spring rape should be considered as a viable option in 2014, especially where the late spring has disrupted cropping plans. Spring rape drilling will commence as soon as soil conditions allow.
Dock Control
Control of Docks, ragwort and dandelion will be a priority in the next few weeks. Take advantage of mild conditions to clean up silage fields over the next few days. Many Dow herbicides are coming to the end of their use up period on farms.
Maize
Maize drilling (under plastic) will commence as soon as soil conditions allow, open crops can be drilled after mid-April.
Fodder beet
Almost no beet has been sown to date due to poor weather conditions.
Potatoes
Some earlies have been planted but all growers have struggled to get crops into the ground due to wet conditions. No main crops have been planted to date. Market conditions remain poor with recent exports of ware potatoes abroad. Many project similar areas to be sown as last year.