By Siobhan Walsh

Last week, some farmers in Co. Cork took advantage of the good weather to get out and sow the first of this year’s winter barley.

Speaking to AgriLand on the matter, Teagasc’s Ciaran Collins said: “It’s madness. I would advise holding off on sowing, especially in the south, from a BYDV (Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus) point of view.”

The Teagasc Crops Specialist stated that winter barley should not be sown until the end of September or early October.

Sowing the crop so early in the season goes against the whole idea of integrated pest management (IPM). A common practice of IPM is to delay winter sowing; this reduces the risk of disease and pests in winter crops.

Early sowing can lead to BYDV, mildew and even rynchosporium and net blotch in advanced crops.

Collins also urged farmers to use seed dressing (Redigo Deter) for BYDV control; this can hold off the pressure for six-to-eight weeks and save a pass over the crop with the sprayer.

In addition, the use-up period for IPU (isoproturon) closes on September 30 and it will not be an option for weed control in winter crops this year.

As a result, Teagasc is eager to advise farmers who have an annual meadow grass problem to spray pre-emergence or, at least, very early post-emergence in their winter crops with the other options available.

Winter oilseed rape

For any winter oilseed rape that has been sown, he said: “Watch out for flea beetle. Monitor crops regularly; when oilseed rape is sown late, it can’t afford a set-back.”

Collins also advised farmers to stop sowing winter oilseed rape if they haven’t managed to get it planted by now.

Harvest update

On the harvest in the south of the country, he said: “In terms of cereals, there’s a relatively small area to be harvested; but a substantial area of beans remains to be cut.

“There is an awful lot of straw on the ground. It’s a hit from an income point of view. It probably will be got but not to the same yield or quality.”