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This week, we revisit growers from Carlow, Tipperary and Donegal. The effects of the late spring planting in Tipperary are becoming more evident this week as spring crops look short and stressed. Crops are also under pressure in Carlow by the lack of moisture. The favourable run of weather in the northwest was stopped abruptly last week by the onset of Storm Hector, which damaged some crops.
Busherstown, Co Carlow
The odd thunder shower in Busherstown hasn’t been enough for Larry’s crops, as moisture stress continues. Many spring crops received little rain since the time of sowing and, as a result, they’re short and thin.
The worst-affected spring crops are very short, although Larry thinks this is partially due to poorly established rooting systems in the crops.
“It’s possible that the dryness isn’t as severe as other years, but the later and shallower-sown crops may be playing into it,” explains Larry.
Siltra (0.6l/ha) and Bravo (1.0l/ha) were applied to spring barley as a T1, as Larry suspected ramularia could be an issue as the crops rapidly grew through the stages. Around mid-tillering, 0.75l/ha of CCC was applied to promote tillering.
Some of the spring crops are looking quite well, explains Larry. “Some crops have tillered well and are looking surprising good; we have both extremes this year.” T2s have commenced on spring barley and consist of Elatus Era (0.5l/ha) and Bravo (1.0l/ha).
Low flowers on spring beans
Spring beans are short and in full flower. There is an abundance of flowers on the crop, but Larry fears that the pods may be too low in the plant for the combine header to reach. He hasn’t treated the crop with anything so far: “I never had a response to fungicides in previous dry years so I just held off this year.” However, he plans to apply Rover (2.0l/ha) to the crop on a protection basis next week.
The winter barley is doing well and Larry remains optimistic about its potential. The winter oats are fully headed out and received a second spray of Elatus Era (0.65l/ha) a number of weeks ago.
Winter wheat is also beginning to struggle due to moisture stress, although the crop is planted in a dry area. The crop received its head spray last Monday consisting of Prosaro (1.0l/ha) and Bravo (1.0l/ha). The top three leaves remain clean.
“We got away with a two-spray programme in oats this year. Even though it was Barra, we didn’t see any mildew and the crop remains clean.”
Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Things have been going well in Clonmel, with favourable weather and good growing conditions experienced over the past four weeks.
The right amount of well-timed rain has meant that John’s crops are not under pressure for moisture.
However, John is less than happy with his spring barley this year. The crops are very short and there appears to be a high amount of yellow leaves throughout the crops, possibly signs of BYDV or stress from racing through the growth stages.
The crops have been treated with two aphicides and have also received trace element sprays.
Some of the leaves on the main tiller are yellow, but secondary tillers are clean.
All the barley was sown late and, as a result, the crops have raced through the growth stages, meaning there was just a week between each spray. One week after an aphicide application, the crops were sprayed with Hurler (0.7l/ha), Axial (0.3l/ha), Addigor (1.0l/ha), Presite Max (100g/ha) and Amazinc.
One week after their herbicide application, they received their T1 spray of Elatus Era (0.65l/ha), a second aphicide and Epson Combitop.
John didn’t use a PGR this year, as he thinks the spray may knock crops back somewhat. With the awns just peeping, the crop will receive a head spray at the end of the week.
At the six-leaf stage, the fodder beet has received T2 herbicide of Wizzard (2.5l/ha), an aphicide and oil and is due its T3 spray shortly.
Promising winter crop potential
John’s winter wheat is looking very promising. The crops received Amistar Opti (0.125l/ha) and Proline (0.5l/ha) around 12 days ago.
Like many crops, disease pressure is very low.
The winter barley is standing well: “The PGR regime has worked, it has lots of potential.”
The crop is around four weeks from harvest and the grain sites are filling well.
Disease pressure is also very low in John’s winter oats and they are coming in fast. The final spray of Elatus Era (0.85l/ha) and Epson Combi Salt was applied a number of weeks ago.
“The spring barley is going through growth stages unbelievably quick. I’ve never seen it before. It’s a different ballgame. I just don’t know how it’s going to turn out.”
Cloon, Co Donegal
After a run of near-perfect weather, crops are doing well in Donegal, but the high winds of Storm Hector last week shook some crops, particularly advanced potatoes.
In general, Jamie’s spring barley and oats are looking well and haven’t come under pressure for moisture this year.
The awns are just appearing on his spring barley and the crop will receive Siltra (0.5l/ha) and Bravo (1.0l/ha) this week.
Crops have moved through the growth stages very fast, which is a concern, but an earlier manganese spray, an application of Micro Boost and an application of chicken manure earlier in the spring have helped keep trace element deficiencies at bay this year.
Some spring barley crops were shaken by the high winds last week, but will recover. His spring oats will be heading out later this week and will receive an application of Rubric and Comet. Jamie feels they could have tillered better in the spring.
Blight control begins
All potato crops are through the ground. The stems of around 50 acres of the most advanced potatoes were badly damaged by Storm Hector last week, which will affect tuber bulking.
Blight pressure is relatively low, but the standard seven-day blight spray programme began one month ago.
Depending on the growth stage, Jamie uses either Infinito or Valbon as protective sprays. Once blight is in the plant, the disease is expensive and difficult to treat.
Winter barley heads are filling well, although the crop may be thin in places. The crop is slightly tossed from last week, but nothing is down.
There is lots of potential in winter wheat this year, according to Jamie, and they are awaiting a final spray of Proline (0.5l/ha) and Tebuconazole (0.6l/ha).
Its T2 consisted of Librax (0.7l/ha) and Chlorothanil (1.0l/ha), as well as Epson Combi Salt, but Jamie has questioned the need for that level of fungicide spend this year, as disease pressure was so low. Winter oilseed rape is due a pod sticker, which will be applied later this week.
“It’s been ideal weather for pod and grain fill. Crops really motored when they had a chance.”
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