Spring 2018 has certainly got off to a slow start and planting conditions during the week were far from ideal. Growers will now have prioritised spring bean planting, as concerns over the lateness into the season increase. Over the coming week there may be opportunities for field work as the weather settles down for a number of days.

Spring beans continue to prove an attractive crop option to tillage farmers for a number of reasons. They are a useful break crop and a legume, hence fix nitrogen and contribute to improving soil structure.

Last year close to 11,500ha of beans were planted, which gave a coupled protein payment of €215/ha. For this year’s proteim aid scheme €3m has been allocated, however growers won’t know the payment per hectare until final planted area has been confirmed. Growers should also be aware that beans no longer qualify for Ecological Focus Area (EFA).

Spring bean varieties

Three varieties are again recommended for 2018 planting – Boxer, Fanfare and Fuego, however there is no seed available for Fuego. This means that all the certified seed supply will be made up of Boxer and Fanfare. Certified seed offers many advantages, such as having low risk of ascochyta (disease levels of less than 1%) and being free from stem nematode.

Boxer: This is a good yielding variety combined with good protein content. More prone to diseases than the others. It is regarded as being moderately susceptible to chocolate spot, susceptible to rust and moderately resistant to downy mildew.

Fanfare: This is the highest yielding variety and has good protein content. It is tall, with good disease resistance, rated moderately resistant to chocolate spot, resistant to rust and very resistant to downy mildew.

() = limited data

PGRO 2018 Spring Bean Variety List

Based on target of 30 plants/m2; TGW of 650 g and establishment of 85%.

Seed rate

Beans are planted based on seed number and the target is around 35 seeds/m2. In order to achieve this, you will need to drill 40-45 seeds/m2, which equates to 175-229kg/ha (11-14.6 st/ac), where seed is between 450g to 650g TGW.

In order to refine your seeding rate, use the following formula. TGW can vary significantly, so ensure you use the number on the seed label when using the formula.

T.G.W. x Target Plant Population/square metre

____________________________ = Required seeding rate (in kg/ha)

% Establishment

For example:

• Using a TGW of 500

• Aiming for a target plant population of 35

• Aiming for a % establishment of 80.

500 x 35/80 = 218 kg/ha (14 st/ac)

Planting

While the yield potential of spring beans is reduced after mid-March, the crop can be sown up to early April. However, it cannot be stressed enough that seedbed conditions must take priority over planting date. Providing good seedbed conditions is essential if you want to get your crop off to a good vigorous start.

Beans will tolerate less than ideal seedbed conditions, but this may reduce yield potential. As we progress further into spring, warmer seedbeds will generally mean quicker establishment, nodulation and emergence.

Spring beans need a medium to fine seedbed, with minimum compaction. Sow at least 7cm deep. A direct drill (eg Sumo, Sky, Claydon) is commonly used and can drill to depths of 10-12cm.

Rolling after planting will improve pre-emergence weed control by breaking up clods and help prevent bird damage.

Nutrients

Where possible, get fertiliser into the seedbed at planting. Remember, soil pH is a critical issue for beans (need close to pH 7), so chose your fields carefully. If the pH reading drops below 6.0 then an application of lime is needed.

See Table 2 for recommended P and K for spring beans. Incorporation into the seedbed is favourable on low fertility soils. On low P soils (Index 1 and 2), greater benefits to plant vigour, pod numbers and yield will likely be seen through incorporation.

Teagasc stated that if you combine drilling P-K compounds, care should be taken to keep K levels low (< 60 kg/ha) to avoid the risk of adversely affecting germination.

While surface broadcasting P and K on planted crops is practiced, a dry spell may prevent the nutrients reaching the growing root when it needs it most.

Margins

The 2018 Teagasc cost and returns document estimate the total cost of production for spring beans this year of €860/ha. This breaks down to €436/ha for materials, €378/ha for machinery and €46/ha for miscellaneous. Fixed costs are excluded from the calculations.

At a projected net price per tonne of 160, this gives a break-even tonnage of 5.4t/ha (2.2 t/ac). This excludes the protein subsidy.

At 5t/ha, the expected gross margin is €190/ha. At 5.5 t/ha, this increases to €270/ha.

Read more

From the tramlines: follow the progress of 12 tillage farmers nationwide

Monday management: fertiliser and bean planting still top of the agenda

Allocation of €3m for 2018 protein aid scheme