Winter crops are at normal growth stages and all regions report lower than normal plant counts due to the extreme wet over the winter, according to Teagasc’s latest crop update.
It says a significant proportion of growers are now deciding on whether or not to re-drill fields or parts of fields.
Virtually no spring crops have been drilled to date but lighter soils are likely to be drilled this week.
Teagasc says that seedbed preparation, seed and fertiliser strategies need careful planning to ensure optimum establishment this spring.
Crop update
Winter Wheat
Most crops are still tillering (gs 23 – 25). The only disease reported is low to moderate levels of Septoria on older leaves. PGR applications, fertiliser and spring weed control applications will be a priority in the next two weeks.
Winter Barley
Growth has been slow up to the end of last week. Crops are now at, or on the verge of gs30. Crops are quite yellow and require nitrogen as soon as possible, if not already completed. Disease levels are generally low to moderate with some higher levels of rhyncho further south. Brown rust has been reported on six rows and Tower, mostly on older leaves.
Winter Oats
Oats like other crops have yellowed considerably in the past two weeks. Waterlogged crops have suffered with distinct browning of plants in these areas. Crops are at gs 30-31 with high levels of old mildew on old leaves and some fresh mildew showing following the improvement in temperatures.
Winter Oil Seed Rape
Crops have grown considerably following the mild weather over the past week. Pigeon grazing continues to be a problem and growers should make every effort to deter grazing. Many crops have only received their first nitrogen in the past few days. Disease levels are quite high and action is needed by most growers. Crops are at green bud stage.
Beans
The first crops of beans are expected to be drilled this week. The area of beans is likely to increase further this year due to its competitiveness compared to spring feed cereals.
Spring Cereals
The area of spring cereals, especially spring feed barley is likely to reduce again in 2016 due to low margins and the increased winter drillings. Growers are reminded to plan fertiliser and seed rate strategies before drilling commences. Predicted cereal crop margins for 2016 are significantly lower than 2015.
Spring Oilseed Rape
Spring rape may be an attractive option compared to feed cereals in spring 2016 and growers are encouraged to compare margins using Teagasc Crop Margin calculator http://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops_margins/Teagasc-2016-Crops_Margin_Calculator_Web.xls
Crops of spring rape should be drilled into good seedbeds to ensure rapid emergence to supress weeds and ensure an early harvest.
Maize
The area of maize in 2015 was 12,700 ha based on DAFM figures. Maize had an average year in 2015 with DAFM plastic and open trials yielding 20.3 t DM/ha and 19.5 t DM/ha respectively. This was the highest yield of maize ever recorded by DAFM variety trials.
Sowing of plastic crops will take place from early April onwards, while open crops will not be sown until mid-April.
Fodder beet
No beet has been sown to date but reduced demand in 2015/6 is likely to impact panting in 2016
Potatoes
Potato area in 2015 decreased to its lowest level ever at 8,100 hectares. Good market conditions helped prices in 2015/6. The earliest sown potatoes are through the ground under fleece/plastic. General earlies were planted began at the start of the month with main crops plantings commencing in early April.