The unfavourable weather of 2018 was an inconvenience in February, was bad in March, and is now truly a nightmare as we enter the second week of April. Essential spring jobs continue be delayed and growers will be under considerable pressure as the scramble to get work done kicks off when the weather eventually improves.
However, it appears as though that won’t be happening in the first half of this week as a low pressure remains nearby, which will bring some rain or showers at times. Daytime temperatures will range between 8°C and 12°C, which has been milder as of late.
Planting
Planting pressure increases as the days pass. There were some bits of planting done in the past week but overall amounts were small. By this stage there really is a big question mark over spring beans and spring wheat and to a lesser extent, spring oats. Many growers have made the decision to abandon their plan to plant either of these crops while others see this week as the final deadline for planting.
The prospect of a higher protein aid payment is certainly attractive but the later beans are sown, the later they are harvested. Others might consider spring wheat for whole cropping.
Even if beans are planted this week, the harvest will most likely run later than normal so be mindful of this.Even if beans are planted this week, the harvest will most likely run later than normal so be mindful of this.
Spring beans: Seed rate should always take account of seed size and ground conditions. Even if beans are planted this week, the harvest will most likely run later than normal so be mindful of this. Target 35 seeds/m2 – 175-210kg/ha (11-13st/ac) for 450g to 550g TGW seed. Plant beans shallower which will allow them to get the surface quicker. Where possible get fertiliser into the seedbed. Granular lime may be needed to target pH 7.
Spring wheat: The crop is past its safest-by date, except where it is to be whole-cropped. Plant 50g TGW seed at 180kg/ha (12st/ac) to drill 350 seeds/m2.
Spring oats: It’s getting late for oats too so target about 400 seeds/m2 (60kg/ha or 10st/ac) for 40g seed.
Malting barley: Drill malting barley at 350-375 seeds/m2 to establishing 300-330 plants/m2 – 155-170kg/ha (10-12 st/ac) for 45g TGW seed.
With barley it pays to wait until seedbeds are good enough, even though there is a lot of work to be done. Seedbeds make crops. Well sown is half grown.
Three-crop rule
At the time of writing we have no confirmation on whether we will have a derogation on the three-crop rule. With the unprecedented weather, spring crop options available to farmers will be much more limited than previous years.
Ensuring a derogation is granted on growers' three-crop rule obligations would be a genuine help to the country’s tillage farmers. Furthermore, given the Minister's current standing among the tillage industry, such a display of leadership would show that he has an understanding and appreciation of some of the challenges facing the sector this spring.
However, as previous schemes have taught us, red tape can quickly erode any potential benefits of such an act and may lead to further complications down the line.
As we await news on the derogation, we must continue to plan under the assumption that the three-crop rule is still in place.
Winter crops remain mixed around the country with growth stages ranging from mid-tillering to stem extension. A lot of water has fallen on fields over the last week which has left ground conditions poor.Winter crops remain mixed around the country with growth stages ranging from mid-tillering to stem extension. A lot of water has fallen on fields over the last week which has left ground conditions poor.
Winter crops
Cereals: Increasing day length continues to push forward crops towards stem extension. Nitrogen and growth regulation are now the focus on many winter crops.
Some of these early crops have received the main N split. On index 1 soils, bring winter wheat and barley up to 180kg N/ha (145 units/ac) by early stem extension and winter oats up to 145kg N/ha (115 units/ac).
On more fertile index 2 soils, bring winter wheat up 150kg N/ha; winter barley up to 155kg N/ha and winter oats up to 120kg N/ha. More N can be applied to all crops where proof of higher yield exists.
You might consider applying the main N splits to winter cereals a bit early so you can concentrate on planting when the opportunity arises.
An application of CCC 1.5l/ha before GS30 may be beneficial for some of the crops with lower plant counts. This will encourage tiller survival and can give a yield response (0.2t/ha) and also help even up crops.
There is also reports of significant amounts of rhynco in Cassia winter barley as well as small bits of mildew. We are also seeing small amounts of septoria in winter wheat. Some crops are coming close to T1 timing and some growers have already applied a T0.
Oilseed rape: Forward rape crops need their remaining nitrogen shortly if they haven’t already received it. The max rate allowed is 225kg N/ha. Target up to 90kg N/ha, providing you are within limits, once the first flowers appear.
Wellbeing
In the week that saw the true extent of fodder shortages make its way to the public spotlight, we were reminded of the importance of looking after your mental health and wellbeing.
As tight season progresses and workloads increase, growers are coming under extreme pressure. While you may take little solace in the fact that no one has escaped the weather and that everyone is in this together, you can be sure that others are equally as frustrated as yourself.
Things are far from ideal but we have been in worse situations and where seed is still in the bag, we can still make management decisions based on how the season unfolds.
One would have to take comfort in that, looking at historical trends, yearly rainfall amounts will nearly always come close to average. Based on that, we are due a dry period any week now.
Read more
Weather pushes planting prospects back again
Monday management: limited opportunities for field work this week
The unfavourable weather of 2018 was an inconvenience in February, was bad in March, and is now truly a nightmare as we enter the second week of April. Essential spring jobs continue be delayed and growers will be under considerable pressure as the scramble to get work done kicks off when the weather eventually improves.
However, it appears as though that won’t be happening in the first half of this week as a low pressure remains nearby, which will bring some rain or showers at times. Daytime temperatures will range between 8°C and 12°C, which has been milder as of late.
Planting
Planting pressure increases as the days pass. There were some bits of planting done in the past week but overall amounts were small. By this stage there really is a big question mark over spring beans and spring wheat and to a lesser extent, spring oats. Many growers have made the decision to abandon their plan to plant either of these crops while others see this week as the final deadline for planting.
The prospect of a higher protein aid payment is certainly attractive but the later beans are sown, the later they are harvested. Others might consider spring wheat for whole cropping.
Even if beans are planted this week, the harvest will most likely run later than normal so be mindful of this.Even if beans are planted this week, the harvest will most likely run later than normal so be mindful of this.
Spring beans: Seed rate should always take account of seed size and ground conditions. Even if beans are planted this week, the harvest will most likely run later than normal so be mindful of this. Target 35 seeds/m2 – 175-210kg/ha (11-13st/ac) for 450g to 550g TGW seed. Plant beans shallower which will allow them to get the surface quicker. Where possible get fertiliser into the seedbed. Granular lime may be needed to target pH 7.
Spring wheat: The crop is past its safest-by date, except where it is to be whole-cropped. Plant 50g TGW seed at 180kg/ha (12st/ac) to drill 350 seeds/m2.
Spring oats: It’s getting late for oats too so target about 400 seeds/m2 (60kg/ha or 10st/ac) for 40g seed.
Malting barley: Drill malting barley at 350-375 seeds/m2 to establishing 300-330 plants/m2 – 155-170kg/ha (10-12 st/ac) for 45g TGW seed.
With barley it pays to wait until seedbeds are good enough, even though there is a lot of work to be done. Seedbeds make crops. Well sown is half grown.
Three-crop rule
At the time of writing we have no confirmation on whether we will have a derogation on the three-crop rule. With the unprecedented weather, spring crop options available to farmers will be much more limited than previous years.
Ensuring a derogation is granted on growers' three-crop rule obligations would be a genuine help to the country’s tillage farmers. Furthermore, given the Minister's current standing among the tillage industry, such a display of leadership would show that he has an understanding and appreciation of some of the challenges facing the sector this spring.
However, as previous schemes have taught us, red tape can quickly erode any potential benefits of such an act and may lead to further complications down the line.
As we await news on the derogation, we must continue to plan under the assumption that the three-crop rule is still in place.
Winter crops remain mixed around the country with growth stages ranging from mid-tillering to stem extension. A lot of water has fallen on fields over the last week which has left ground conditions poor.Winter crops remain mixed around the country with growth stages ranging from mid-tillering to stem extension. A lot of water has fallen on fields over the last week which has left ground conditions poor.
Winter crops
Cereals: Increasing day length continues to push forward crops towards stem extension. Nitrogen and growth regulation are now the focus on many winter crops.
Some of these early crops have received the main N split. On index 1 soils, bring winter wheat and barley up to 180kg N/ha (145 units/ac) by early stem extension and winter oats up to 145kg N/ha (115 units/ac).
On more fertile index 2 soils, bring winter wheat up 150kg N/ha; winter barley up to 155kg N/ha and winter oats up to 120kg N/ha. More N can be applied to all crops where proof of higher yield exists.
You might consider applying the main N splits to winter cereals a bit early so you can concentrate on planting when the opportunity arises.
An application of CCC 1.5l/ha before GS30 may be beneficial for some of the crops with lower plant counts. This will encourage tiller survival and can give a yield response (0.2t/ha) and also help even up crops.
There is also reports of significant amounts of rhynco in Cassia winter barley as well as small bits of mildew. We are also seeing small amounts of septoria in winter wheat. Some crops are coming close to T1 timing and some growers have already applied a T0.
Oilseed rape: Forward rape crops need their remaining nitrogen shortly if they haven’t already received it. The max rate allowed is 225kg N/ha. Target up to 90kg N/ha, providing you are within limits, once the first flowers appear.
Wellbeing
In the week that saw the true extent of fodder shortages make its way to the public spotlight, we were reminded of the importance of looking after your mental health and wellbeing.
As tight season progresses and workloads increase, growers are coming under extreme pressure. While you may take little solace in the fact that no one has escaped the weather and that everyone is in this together, you can be sure that others are equally as frustrated as yourself.
Things are far from ideal but we have been in worse situations and where seed is still in the bag, we can still make management decisions based on how the season unfolds.
One would have to take comfort in that, looking at historical trends, yearly rainfall amounts will nearly always come close to average. Based on that, we are due a dry period any week now.
Read more
Weather pushes planting prospects back again
Monday management: limited opportunities for field work this week
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