Update Number 4 2023
Update Number 4 2023
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Winter Wheat
Wheat crops have grown well in the last week despite the wet weather. Many crops only received their first application of fertilizer last week, the impact of this delay nitrogen application is not clear yet but may well impact yield later in the season. Teagasc monitor crops are reporting high levels of septoria which will be the target at leaf 3 fungicide application near the end of April. There are a few reports of yellow rust in Graham in recent days and this will be targeted at leaf 4 timing.
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Winter barley
Winter barley has responded to the main split of nitrogen fertiliser and recent growth with most crops now at GS 31. Shoot counts are satisfactory in crops unaffected by water logging but there are more poorer patches in fields this year than normal. Overall disease levels are low but there have been some reports of brown rust from a few weeks ago there are some reports of rhynchosporium, mainly in susceptible varieties like Cassia, Casting and to a lessor extent in Joyau. First fungicide application has been delayed in most crops due to wet weather.
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Winter Oilseed Rape
The last few weeks have proven to be very difficult to get fertilizer spread on oilseed rape crops, many advanced crops are now flowering and will soon be too tall to spread fertilizer accurately unless the disks can be raised above the canopy.
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Winter Oats
Crops have started to grow quite rapidly in the last week or so especially where compound fertilisers were applied. Some crops only recently received fertiliser this week and are somewhat backward. Disease levels are generally low although mildew is evident in some forward crops.
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Spring barley
Some farmers on dry land availed of good ground conditions in early March to plant spring barley however it is estimated that only about 15% of this years spring barley is planted. Establishment in these earlier planted crops is variable. Dry free draining land not subject to water logging is fine but there are some instances of patchy establishment where water lodged after planting and on some 'tight' headlands.
Seed rates need to be increased to 325 seed/m² if planting is delayed into mid April. Incorporation of N,P and K into the seedbed is crucial from now on and there is a strong case to increase nitrogen rate in the seedbed.
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Plant Protection Product Tables 2023
See the links below to the updates tables containing the latest on each product which is available to farmers.
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Teagasc Spring Crop Walks
This years spring crop walks will take place over the coming weeks. With the delayed spring in many areas the walks will be delayed until spring crops have emerged however there are two walks due to take place in the coming weeks in areas where some spring crops were drilled in late February.
| County | Venue | Eircode | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlow | Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow | R93 XE12 | Thursday13 April | 11.00 am |
| Laois/Kildare | Tom Phelan, Dunbrin, Athy, Co. Kildare | R14 PN88 | Tuesday 18 April | 11.00 am |
More events are planned for the following weeks details to follow.
National Liming Programme 2023
Apply for National Liming Programme before April 20 to be eligible for €16/t payment
There is a large demand for lime on tillage farms. From 4,325 soil samples analysed on tillage farms in 2022 39% of tillage had a soil pH <6.5.
Correct soil pH is crucial for nutrient use efficiency on all farms. Maintaining the soil pH at the optimum level will increase the microbiological activity of the soil, and result in better soil nutrient recycling and release. Soil pH is also critical for maximising the availability of nutrients (N, P & K) applied in organic and chemical fertilisers. Estimates also show that soils with the correct pH will release up to 80kg of N/ha/yr.
The recently announced National Liming Programme is a welcome incentive which will provide a financial contribution of €16 to participating farmers per tonne of lime delivered and spread on their holding.
The aim of the programme is to incentivise farmers to purchase and spread Calcium ground limestone/Magnesium ground limestone, in accordance with the lime requirement stated in the soil analysis report.
Some key points for tillage farmers in relation to the liming programme;
- Applicants (or their advisor) must complete an online Application Form on agfood.ie
- Application closing date is April 20 2023.
- Farmers with a grassland stocking rate above 170kg livestock manure nitrogen/ha prior to export in 2022 are not eligible as liming is a mandatory requirement on these farms
- Farmer who are participating or intend to participate in the 2023 Eco-Scheme practice relating to soil sampling and liming are not eligible to participate in this programme given this action would be already supported under that measure.
- Payment will only be made on valid claims relating to a minimum of 10 tonnes of ground limestone and a maximum of 200 tonnes.
- Must have soil test reports for the land (within the last 4 years from date of purchase) that indicates a lime requirement.
- Maximum application rate is 7.5t/ha.
- The ground limestone must be purchased directly from a licenced quarry. A list of licenced quarries is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/30b1d-trade-imports-exports-fertilisers-and-limestone/#list-of-active-limestone-quarriesQ.
- Claims for payment must be submitted by 31st October 2023.