Poor conditions have delayed sowing this spring. Teagasc crops specialist Michael Hennessy said that as 15 April approaches farmers have to make the decision whether or not to sow at all this year.
Poor conditions have delayed sowing this spring. Photo: Jack Caffrey
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Ground conditions have delayed sowing this year, with almost 70% of seed still in storage.
Managing director of Liffey Mills Pat Ryan said that just 32% of spring barley seed has been sold, adding that the sowing season “is not going well”. Liam Leahy of Dairygold said that 40% of seed is on farm but just 20% to 25% is in the ground.
“That figure was 75% in other years,” said Leahy. “No beet or maize has been planted, but all our beans are planted, sprayed and coming through,” Leahy added.
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According to Teagasc crops specialist Michael Hennessy, there are places that have 80% of spring crops sown, while others are at just 20%.
“With a later sowing date there is lower yield potential of the crop,” said Hennessy. “Coupled with the lower prices forecast, people have to consider if they should sow at all. Potentially you could be losing €50/acre to €60/acre. I have been hesitant up to now to advise people to leave land fallow, but farmers need to be making that decision soon.”
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Ground conditions have delayed sowing this year, with almost 70% of seed still in storage.
Managing director of Liffey Mills Pat Ryan said that just 32% of spring barley seed has been sold, adding that the sowing season “is not going well”. Liam Leahy of Dairygold said that 40% of seed is on farm but just 20% to 25% is in the ground.
“That figure was 75% in other years,” said Leahy. “No beet or maize has been planted, but all our beans are planted, sprayed and coming through,” Leahy added.
According to Teagasc crops specialist Michael Hennessy, there are places that have 80% of spring crops sown, while others are at just 20%.
“With a later sowing date there is lower yield potential of the crop,” said Hennessy. “Coupled with the lower prices forecast, people have to consider if they should sow at all. Potentially you could be losing €50/acre to €60/acre. I have been hesitant up to now to advise people to leave land fallow, but farmers need to be making that decision soon.”
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