Recent rains have helped improve planting conditions significantly, according to Teagasc tillage specialist Shay Phelan.

He explained: “There is now sufficient moisture in the soil to allow winter oilseed rape crops to germinate successfully.

“And there’s little doubt that growers will get on with this work over the coming days.”

Winter oilseed rape turned out to be the most successful crops combined during harvest 2026.

According to the Teagasc representative, this fact alone should encourage an increased in the planted area for rape during 2026/2027.

Phelan continued: “Avoiding clubroot is a key requirement when it comes to growing oilseed rape successfully.

“And making this happen is all about getting proper tillage rotations in place.”

Clubroot

Clubroot is a fungal root infection, which impacts on all members of the brassica family, including cabbage, swedes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and rape crops.

Clubroot spores can live in soil for a long number of years.

Given these circumstances, Teagasc is advising that oilseed rape should only be grown on the basis of a five-year rotation.

Phelan said: “Clubroot is one of those diseases that needs a long rotation to ensure freedom from the pathogen, if the plan is to grow oilseed rape.”

Meanwhile, cover crops that were sown out over recent weeks are starting to germinate: some better than other.

This is another response to the recent rains.

Cover crops are not grown to generate direct profit on tillage farms.

Rather they suck up excess nutrients left behind from a previous crop, ensuring the nutrients are available as a valuable fertiliser source for future use within a tillage rotation.

Harvest 2026

As September beckons, Teagasc is confirming that harvest 2026 is fast coming to a conclusion.

Phelan said: “The job is complete, east of a line between Cork and Derry.

“In other parts of the country, it’s very much a case of tidying up the last of the spring crops.

According to the tillage specialist, spring beans have disappointed in many areas with yields down at 1.5t/ac commonplace.

“The actual size of the beans harvested has also been quite small in many instances," he said.

Phelan added that now is the "time to look ahead", with the Teagasc crops forum scheduled to take place on September 10 in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

The event will look specifically at protecting yield and improving financial resilience on tillage farms.