Teagasc Crop Report
Crop Report Update Number 1 2026
Crop Report Update Number 1 2026
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Headlines
- Persistent wet weather continues to dominate conditions, with no realistic opportunity for fieldwork in the short term.
- According to Met Éireann, all poorly drained soils and some moderately drained soils are currently waterlogged, with all other soils saturated. Further deterioration is expected over the coming week, with more moderately drained soils becoming waterlogged.
- Winter wheat and winter barley areas are broadly similar to 2025 levels, while winter oats area has declined. Winter oilseed rape area has increased and is estimated at approximately 17,000 ha.
- Despite recent heavy rainfall, winter crops have generally come through the winter in good condition, with limited losses from waterlogging or pest damage to date.
- Plant populations in winter cereals are generally good. Some crops are well advanced, with winter oats at GS30 at the recent Kildalton crop walk.
- A proportion of winter cereals did not receive an autumn herbicide. Grass weed control options in winter barley are now limited and likely to be less effective, while ALS herbicides (Pacifica Plus/Monolith/Broadway Star etc.) remain a good option in winter wheat where grass weeds are problematic.
- Results from 2025 grass weed resistance monitoring have identified Irelands first ALS-Resistant Rye Brome and Increasing ALS Resistance in Annual Meadow Grass
- Interest in spring beans is expected to increase in 2026, driven by reduced malting barley contracts and weak feed barley prices. The protein payment, worth approximately €600/ha in 2025, continues to underpin bean margins.
- Where available, the use of organic manures can help reduce chemical fertiliser requirements and lower overall input costs.
Winter Barley
Plant counts in winter barley are generally very good, with crops well set up for the season. Fertiliser application will be a priority once ground conditions allow, although most crops are only just beginning to show a demand for nitrogen. Some autumn applied herbicides for annual meadow grass control (e.g. Tower GS 30) may still be used, but control is likely to be limited where grass weeds are well tillered. For many growers, a spring applied programme targeting broad-leaved weeds is likely to be the most practical option at this stage.
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Winter Wheat
Similar to winter barley, winter wheat crops generally have good plant and shoot numbers. There is no urgency to apply fertiliser on crops with good tiller counts, and nitrogen can be delayed until late tillering or GS30. Weed control should be prioritised where autumn applications were missed, with ALS herbicides the main option for grass weed control in these situations. it is important to note that results from 2025 grass weed resistance monitoring have identified Irelands first ALS-Resistant Rye Brome and Increasing ALS Resistance in Annual Meadow Grass.
High shoot numbers increase lodging risk, so now is an ideal time to assess plant populations and plan nitrogen and PGR programmes accordingly.
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Winter Oilseed Rape
There is considerable variation in green area index (GAI) across winter oilseed rape crops. Crops that received organic manures in the autumn tend to have higher GAI values, with some already approaching GAI 3.0, nitrogen can be safely delayed in these crops until mid-March. Crops with GAI below 1.0 will require first nitrogen as soon as growth recommences. Pigeon grazing pressure appears lower than in recent seasons. A fungicide for light leaf spot is advised, particularly where no autumn fungicide was applied.
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Beans
Interest in spring beans has increased again for the coming season, driven by comparatively strong margins relative to other spring crops. Based on the 2026 Teagasc Crops and Returns figures, a 5.0 t/ha bean crop is projected to outperform a 7.5 t/ha malting barley crop at current prices. These margins remain heavily supported by the DAFM protein payment, which continues into 2026. However, growers are strongly advised to ensure a secure market outlet before committing to beans.
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Organic Manure
Organic manures provide a valuable and cost-effective source of major and minor nutrients for tillage crops, while also building soil organic matter and improving long-term soil health and resilience. Because nutrient content and dry matter vary widely by manure type and processing, analysis is essential to match application rates accurately, with potential fertiliser savings of up to €150/ha from typical slurry applications at current prices.
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