Tillage
Rain is badly needed in many parts of the country to get winter oilseed rape crops through germination over the coming days
If weed control has been delayed, it is essential to use higher herbicide rates. The reality is that larger weeds are harder to kill.
Machinery
Laser is the weeding method of choice that is being developed by Carbon Robotics based out of Seattle in the US.
Securing effective weed control now in autumn-sown cereals is critically important. But it's a case of selecting the right herbicide mix.
Securing effective autumn weed control in newly established cereal crops is crucially important if optimal yields are to be secured
Herbicide resistant meadow grasses could pose a threat to future weed control, according to Teagasc research scientist, Vijaya Bhaskar.
Tillage Technical
Pre-emergence herbicides have been shown to be more effective in controlling many problem grass weeds according to Teagasc,.
The coming days will be critical in terms of getting winter barley crops into the ground across the country.
Environment
Following the outcome of EU member states voting on the European Commission’s proposal to renew the use of glyphosate, an Irish farm organisation has called the herbicide "critical" for Irish agriculture.
In a vote today, a proposal to renew the use of glyphosate for ten years did not receive the required majority from EU member states.
Farmers must commit to using different herbicide strategies each year, if they want to prevent weed resistance
Opinion
Recent days have brought home to me the focal role of the plough within Irish tillage. It's a 'proven technology' with undiminished potential
All crops are now responding well to the improved weather conditions and growers need to think about how they are going to control weeds.
Teagasc tillage advisors have confirmed the presence of blackgrass infestations in a number of Irish cereal crops.
Early March-sown spring barley crops will not require an aphicide. However, those drilled later in the month will.
The new PAN Europe report on glyphosate usage outlines the wide range of non-chemical alternatives to herbicides that are already available.
Agri-Business
A study by University of Galway has shown that one quarter of families tested were found to have low levels of exposure to glyphosate.
Tillage News
Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin have teamed up with agtech company, Syngenta.
According to Teagasc, weed control in crops – including winter barley, wheat and oilseed rape - are now important.
The area of cereals sown-out over the past three weeks that has received a pre-emergent herbicide is quite low.
New data from Corteva Agriscience has shown that farmers can achieve excellent levels of control of volunteer oats in the autumn.
Teagasc tillage advisors are surmising that Ireland’s winter barley acreage might be well back in 2022/2023, relative to previous years.
Development of alternatives to traditional pesticides such as biocontrols is "essential, to maximise yields while minimising environmental damage," according to the CEO of a company that develop the substances.
