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• Winter wheat: Early developing varieties in the Teagasc Monitor Crops are now at fully emerged flag leaf, while the majority of crops remain 5–7 days away from full flag leaf emergence. Yellow rust has generally been well controlled by T0 fungicide applications, while septoria levels are currently moderate.
• Spring barley: Nutrient deficiency symptoms are becoming more prevalent, particularly where rainfall over the past 2–3 weeks has been low. Manganese and magnesium deficiencies are the most commonly reported issues.
• Spring beans: Now is the ideal timing to control grass weeds in spring beans using graminicides such as Fusilade Max, Stratos Ultra and Falcon. Beware of cut-off timings, as both Fusilade Max and Falcon must be applied before the first flower bud becomes visible.
• Winter barley: Final fungicide applications have now been completed on most crops. Disease levels remain low, with very few reports of ramularia to date.
• Potatoes: Planting of maincrop potatoes is now well progressed, with most growers expected to finish over the coming week. A recent Teagasc survey conducted at the end of April suggests that 50% of growers intend to plant less maincrop potatoes in 2026 compared to 2025.

Spring Beans

Establishment of spring bean crops is generally excellent this year, helped by later sowing dates and reduced crow damage compared to previous seasons.

Some growers have reported issues with weed control where pre-emergence herbicides were applied. Dry soil conditions following application are likely to be a contributing factor, as moisture is required to activate residual herbicides. Crops should now be monitored and post-emergence options considered where weed profile fits the only available broad leaf option which is Basagran. 

Levels of bean weevil notching are variable across the country. Most growers have now applied an insecticide where treatment was considered necessary.

There are currently no significant reports of disease in spring beans. However, crops should continue to be monitored for chocolate spot as crop canopies develop. Fungicide application before chocolate spot appears or before flowering is important for control.

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Winter Barley

Almost all winter barley crops have headed out at this stage with awns visible even on the later sown crops. The final fungicide has been applied on most crops although there are still some crop which have yet to receive a fungicide.

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