Teagasc Crop Report
Crop Report Update Number 6 2026
Crop Report Update Number 6 2026
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Headlines
- There has been a major increase in crop growth in the last 7 - 10 days.
- Weather remains the key challenge for crop management at present. Crops in the South have benefited from adequate rainfall and are generally progressing well, whereas spring crops in drier parts of the country are showing increasing signs of moisture stress. Unsettled weather is also restricting spraying opportunities, leading to delays and missed timings.
- Spring barley is hugely variable, reflecting differences in rainfall. Final fungicides are due on earlier sown crops.
- Current weather conditions favour fusarium infection in winter wheat, well timed flowering fungicides are crucial to limit disease development.
- Current weather conditions are also favourable for the development and spread of chocolate spot in beans. It is therefore vital that first fungicide applications are applied where this has not already been done.
- As we approach the end of the spraying season it is important to check if any products in your store will lose registration or have use-up dates later this year. Use up any products in accordance with label requirements to avoid the cost and inconvenience of disposing of obsolete products.
Spring Barley
Spring barley crops are highly variable this season. Rainfall has been the key factor influencing crop performance. Combined April and May rainfall amounted to just 47mm at Dublin airport, 62 mm at Oak Park and 91 mm at Dunsany, compared with 105 mm at Johnstown Castle, 115 mm at Moorepark and 185 mm at Cork Airport.
Net blotch was the predominant disease at the T1 timing, particularly in continuous barley situations and where cover crops containing volunteer barley were destroyed close to sowing. In general, disease control has been good, with most fungicide programmes providing effective control and crops remaining relatively clean.
As crops move towards T2 timing, ramularia will be the primary disease target.
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Winter Wheat
Winter wheat has good yield potential this year, particularly where disease has been well controlled and crops have avoided prolonged moisture stress. Rainfall has again been a key factor. Septoria levels remain relatively low across the northern half of the country, where drier conditions have limited disease development. However, pressure is higher in the South, where rainfall has favoured infection and spread.
Yellow rust continues to cause difficulties for growers, particularly in susceptible varieties particularly in the East/North East. There have been reports of yellow rust reappearing in crops shortly after flag leaf fungicide applications, highlighting the importance of regular crop walking.
Current weather conditions are perfect for fusarium infection during flowering. Growers should pay close attention to crop growth stages and ensure that ear sprays are applied at mid-flowering to maximise protection against fusarium.
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Spring beans
Crops have responded to moisture over the last week and most crops are at or near flowering. There are not too many reports of chocolate spot but there has been several reports of downy mildew. First fungicide application is now the priority if not already applied. Similar to last year there is plenty of evidence of bean weevil damage.
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Fodder beet
Fodder beet crops have grown well over the past week, however, some growers have had emergence issues in drier soils. Most crops have received their first herbicide application and are now approaching the timing for a second spray. There have been no major reports of pest damage to date.
Where nitrogen fertiliser has not yet been applied in full, the remaining requirement should be applied as soon as possible before soil moisture becomes limiting. Maximum recommended nitrogen rates are up to 195 kg N/ha. Take account of previous fertiliser applications and organic manures.
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Potatoes
Planting for 2026 is complete now with many maincrops having already emerged although some of the late planted crops in the north-west have yet to emerge. While there was a blight warning issued on the 18th of May the record high temperatures experienced last week will have prevented the spread in many areas.
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Maize
It is expected that there is a slight increase in the maize area for 2026. All crops are sown by now but a significant proportion are sown in the open so will need weed control from the 4 - 6 leaf stage.
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Plant Protection Product Changes 2026
As we come to the end of the crop spraying season now is a good time to look through chemical store to do and inventory list and check if any products are coming towards the end of their usage.
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