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Rainfall and moisture stress continue to dominate the headlines, as another fine week of weather fails to provide the letup many winter and spring crops require. However, while all crops would benefit from rainfall, the intensity of moisture stress varies from one area to another.
Athy, Co Kildare
If it wasn’t for a one-and-a-half-hour thunderstorm three weeks ago which dumped 24mm of rain on to Andrew’s farm, crops would be under significant drought pressure right now. While conditions are still very dry, Andrew has thus far escaped the worst of the drought stress in his area.
Running direct drilling, Andrew is happy with his cultivation systems given the way the season has unfolded. He applied either 6:10:0 or 7:8:1 liquid compound as a starter fertiliser in the seedbed this year and it appears to have made a significant difference, in part due to faster root development during the challenging spring.
Andrew’s Venture spring peas for Batchelors are in full flower and are not under drought stress yet. Fungicide options are limited for peas, but they generally require a two-spray programme. T1s generally are applied at the start of flowering. However, due to the dry weather, this was delayed until recently. He has applied Azoxystrobin (0.7l/ha) and trace elements and doesn’t plan to apply a T2.
Short spring beans
Andrew’s spring beans are short, but there appear to be plenty of flowers in the crop. At the start of flowering, a downy mildew-like mould appeared in earlier-sown crops. In response, 0.5l/ha of Amistar and 1.0l/ha of Chlorothalonil was applied, which appears to have stopped its spread. Trax slug pellets were spread on the crop last month, but there are still high numbers of slugs in the crop.
“Spring barley crops are thin and short. There’s not going to be much straw, but those closer to the break crop are noticeably better,” explains Andrew.
Around 10 days ago, the crops received their T2 of Ceriax (1.35l/ha), Elatus Era (0.5l/ha), Chlorothalonil (1.0l/ha) and magnesium trace elements. They remain immaculately clean, but there’s a small amount of yellow leaves present in the crops.
His spring oats remain clean, but are thin and plant numbers are lower than desired. Fully headed out, the crops received Genton (1.2l/ha) and trace elements last week.
“We’ve been getting on OK so far, partially down to establishment method, but I don’t know how long that will hold crops so I am concerned.”
Poyntzpass, Co Down
Crops are close to being back on schedule in Poyntzpass this season, as great weather over the past month has accelerated crop development.
“During most of the spring, we were around three weeks behind normal, but now things are nearly back on track,” explains Simon.
Rainfall amounts have generally been less than forecasted in Simon’s area, but crops are not under pressure for moisture.
Well-structured soils with good moisture levels have meant that crops are poised to continue to take advantage of the good weather and build on potential.
Spring beans are in flower, are much shorter than usual and have lower numbers of flowers due to late planting.
The first fungicide was applied last week, which consisted of Alto Elite (2.0l/ha).
Crops are clean, but Simon is keeping an eye on black bean aphid populations.
His spring oats are now headed out and Simon is happy with the condition of the crop, given how late they were planted.
Around 40kg N/ha was held back on the lushest crops. A T2 head spray of Capalo (1.25 l/ha) and Comet (0.5l/ha) will be applied this week. As is the case with most spring crops, the crops are very clean.
End of flowering for wheat
Winter wheat is coming to the end of flowering and last week received a head spray of Proline (0.5l/ha) and Zoxis (0.5l/ha).
While the crops are short, they remain clean, with good yield potential. Weather has been perfect during flowering, so the risk of fusarium is low.
Winter oats were looking backward after the winter, but have recovered very well.
The crop is even and disease levels are low. The crop will be monitored closely to see if a T3 spray will be required.
His winter oilseed rape is now ready for a pod sticker.
The decision now has to be made whether to apply the sticking agent next week or hold off for a few weeks and include the sticker in with the pre-harvest desiccant.
“We are well on schedule for a normal harvest start date now, thankfully. This time next month, we’ll be very close to the winter oilseed rape harvest,” according to Simon.
Tralee, Co Kerry
The effects of the warm dry weather are also being felt in Kerry. Just 39mm of rain has fallen in Valentia during the month of June so far, well behind the monthly average of 95mm.
So, dry weather been a theme of Ronan’s farm in Tralee, with spring crops now under pressure for moisture and showing signs of stress.
“It’s really the late crops which were sown in the middle of May which are under pressure.”
Spring crops have established well, with high plant populations and good canopy development, but all crops could do with rain at this stage.
Some of Ronan’s gangway spring barley has turned an off-green colour and it appears that least one of his fields was damaged by wind two weeks ago.
With the awns emerging, the T2 will be applied this week consisting of Velogy Era (0.75l/ha) or Ceriax (1.65l/ha), as well as Chlorothalonil (1.0l/ha) and Epson Salts, depending on the target disease.
Crops are generally spotlessly clean. Ronan estimates that around 1% of the crops have yellow leaves, most likely as a result of BYDV.
Crops have exploded through the growth stages and a number of weeks ago Ronan applied Siltra (0.5l/ha) as a T1.
Ronan’s Yukon spring oats have received one fungicide application so far, Capalo (1.25l/ha), as well as CCC (1.25l/ha), Optimus (0.2l/ha) and Magnesium Sulfate (5kg/ha) around two weeks ago. This was applied at GS 30-31 when the crops were spotless.
A T2 of Velogy Era (0.75l/ha) and Epson Salts (5.0kg/ha) will be applied at the end of this week.
Wind damage to winter barley
Some of Ronan’s Quadra winter barley, which was thin coming through the winter, now appears to have thickened out during the late spring. This is now his best-looking winter crop.
The high winds from two weeks ago and an occasional heavy shower have caused a small amount of lodging in the crops. These lodged areas are now openings in the field for crows, which are hovering around the crop.
“Realistically, we don’t need an awful lot of rain, just a small amount, and plenty of sun and heat. It’s grain-filling time now.”
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