Pádraig's new drill has increased the sowing accuracy of the crop.
ADVERTISEMENT
Footprint Farmer Pádraig Connery in Co Waterford is disappointed he doesn’t have more spring barley grown this year due to the good performance of the crop in recent years.
However, it is the way the rotation has worked out this year.
Farming outside Villierstown, Co Waterford, Padraig has increased the average yields of his spring barley crop from 3.6 tonnes/acre (t/ac) in 2016 and 2017 up to 4t/ac in 2021 and 2022.
ADVERTISEMENT
Factors
Pádraig puts the 20% yield increase down to a number of factors:
The use of cover crops, which reduces nutrient losses, as well as pests and disease burdens.
Using a paddle roller between ploughing and sowing to consolidate the seedbed.
A new corn drill, which has increased the sowing accuracy in terms of seeding rates and seed placement.
In addition to this, Pádraig also attributes this increase to tailoring his fertiliser plans to soil sample results, increasing his focus on lime spreading and improved husbandry as a whole; for example, ensuring he's spraying the crops on time.
Pádraig purchased a new fertiliser spreader in October.
Pádraig also purchased a new fertiliser spreader in October.
The spreader is equipped with automatic calibration and flow rate control, which ensures accurate and even spreading and so serves as a financial saving, as there is no excess fertiliser being spread.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Footprint Farmer Pádraig Connery in Co Waterford is disappointed he doesn’t have more spring barley grown this year due to the good performance of the crop in recent years.
However, it is the way the rotation has worked out this year.
Farming outside Villierstown, Co Waterford, Padraig has increased the average yields of his spring barley crop from 3.6 tonnes/acre (t/ac) in 2016 and 2017 up to 4t/ac in 2021 and 2022.
Factors
Pádraig puts the 20% yield increase down to a number of factors:
The use of cover crops, which reduces nutrient losses, as well as pests and disease burdens.
Using a paddle roller between ploughing and sowing to consolidate the seedbed.
A new corn drill, which has increased the sowing accuracy in terms of seeding rates and seed placement.
In addition to this, Pádraig also attributes this increase to tailoring his fertiliser plans to soil sample results, increasing his focus on lime spreading and improved husbandry as a whole; for example, ensuring he's spraying the crops on time.
Pádraig purchased a new fertiliser spreader in October.
Pádraig also purchased a new fertiliser spreader in October.
The spreader is equipped with automatic calibration and flow rate control, which ensures accurate and even spreading and so serves as a financial saving, as there is no excess fertiliser being spread.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS