Tillage farmers will be using any breaks in the weather over the coming days to get on with the job of establishing spring crops.
Teagasc is confirming a strong interest in spring beans. This is due to the increased protein payment, favourable contract prices (€250), and a scarcity of spring barley seed.
The final protein payment rate will depend on the area planted. However, in all likelihood, it will be in the range of €350-500/ha.
Beans are more profitable than spring barley and also increase profitability across the rotation. The yield potential of beans is reduced after mid-March sowing.
Growers should aim to plant crops as early as possible in March, but, seed beds must be appropriate for the job in hand.
According to Teagasc tillage specialists, growers should target a population of 25 to 30 plants/m². It is a case of increasing this target to 40 plants/m² for late sowing, or if crops are established in unproductive soils.
A thousand grain weight (TGW) of 550g will need a sowing rate of 206kg/ha (13.1st/ac). Growers should take note of the TGW on the bag as big seed requires high seed rates.
It is essential that pre-emergence residual herbicides are used, where beans are concerned. Basagran is the only approved post-emergence herbicide which controls emerged broadleaved weeds, however, it has a very limited weed spectrum.
Pre-emergence residual products work best on fine seedbeds with some moisture after spraying, according to Teagasc.
Rolling post-sowing helps the activity of pre-emergence herbicides by breaking up the clods. The main pre-emergence herbicide options are: Nirvana 4.0-4.5L/ha; Nirvana 2.5 plus Defy 4.0L/ha; Stallion 3.0L/ha; Chanon/Emerger 2.5 plus Defy 2.5L/ha.
Spring barley
According to Teagasc, seed is in tight supply this season. Growers should gather as much information as possible on the variety they are sowing.
Agronomic ratings from other countries do not translate well to Ireland, so it really is a case of being cautious, especially with straw strength.
Total nitrogen (N) rates should be reduced on varieties where information on straw strength is scarce. Fields that have received recent applications of organic manure should also be avoided.
In addition, high plant counts significantly increase lodging risk. Growers should determine the TGW of the seed before planting.
Most seed bags (native and imported) will have the TGW printed on the bag, so it is a case of checking before sowing.
The target for spring barley is to establish 300 plants/m². If standing ability is a concern, reducing seed rate by 25-30kg/ha can reduce lodging risk.