Certified seed
Amy Forde on 29 May 2021
Department and industry to strengthen controls around wildflower seeds
The Department has an agreement with the Irish Seed Trade Association (ISTA) to impose a zero tolerance for blackgrass in certified seed grown in Ireland.
Siobhán Walsh on 19 May 2021
Wildflower mixes pulled from shelves due to blackgrass contamination
The contamination of wildflower mixes with blackgrass has highlighted the lack of regulation around imported wildflower seeds. Stephen Robb and Siobhán Walsh report.
Andy Doyle on 06 May 2021
New faces and structures for plant variety organisations
The Animal and Plant Health Association is to take on an administrative role for both the Plant Variety Development Office and the Irish Seed Trade Association.
Contributor on 11 Apr 2021
The challenges of herbicide-resistant grass weeds
Grass weeds are a growing problem in tillage fields and herbicide resistance is adding massively to the extent of those challenges, writes Vijaya Bhaskar of Teagasc.
Andy Doyle on 24 Mar 2021
Spring cereal seed availability getting tight
Good weather this week has led to high planting levels and reports that seed supply could be very tight by the end of the season.
Andy Doyle on 03 Feb 2021
Land is wet now but it can quickly be ready for planting
Ground is very wet in most areas but dry land can quickly come ready for planting so have seed and fertiliser on hand in case an opportunity arises in the next few weeks.
Andy Doyle on 27 Jan 2021
Seed supply expected to be adequate for demand
Spring cereal certified seed supply is now expected to be adequate despite harvest rejections and subsequent germination issues.
Stephen Robb on 11 Nov 2020
Brexit: The new reality for British plant imports
With Brexit around the corner, Stephen Robb takes a look at the new arrangements for importing plants and plant products from Britain.
Stephen Robb on 28 Oct 2020
Seed supply uncertainly for potato growers
A fresh warning has been issued to potato growers to secure next season’s UK seed supply early writes Stephen Robb
Stephen Robb on 08 Oct 2020
Brexit: Department warns potato farmers to secure UK seed early
A large proportion of Ireland’s potato seed supply comes from Scotland.
Andy Doyle on 23 Sep 2020
Harvest complete, planting soon to start
Most farmers have finally completed their 2020 harvests, and are facing straight into preparations for winter planting as the 2021 season starts.
Andy Doyle on 05 Aug 2020
Healthy seed is an essential input
Seeds can be infected with a range of diseases and fungicidal seed dressings are used to minimise their negative impact on germination and yield.
Andy Doyle on 05 Aug 2020
Seed dressings are an important crop input
While it is not a decision that most farmers need to take, having the proper seed dressing on cereal seed remains a vital part of good crop protection.
Darren Carty on 22 May 2020
Schemes update: one week left to get wild bird cover sown
A high percentage of farmers have taken advantage of ideal weather to carry out field work, but there is still some jobs to complete in the final week before the deadline.
Andy Doyle on 13 May 2020
Barley, wheat, oats and beans rise to fill crop area gap
A forecast famine never happens – a likely scarcity of certified seed this spring resulted in significant seed imports, a switch to crops other than barley, an overall area increase and seed left over
Darren Carty on 24 Apr 2020
Weather promotes spike in GLAS wild bird cover sowing
The crop needs to be sown by 31 May 2020, but contractors report excellent ground conditions is leading to demand to get crops sown earlier.
Andy Doyle on 11 Mar 2020
Coronavirus: check on seed, fertiliser and parts supplies
It seems possible that the country could experience a level of shutdown that exceeds anything we have seen before to address problems like foot and mouth disease.
Andy Doyle on 04 Mar 2020
A different spring needs different decisions
With broken weather set to persist for a while longer, it is increasingly important to be ready for the first opportunity to get things done.
Stephen Robb on 26 Feb 2020
Listen: can Ireland’s potato seed industry be revived?
Stephen Robb delves into Ireland’s potato seed production figures and looks at efforts being made to revive the industry.
Stephen Robb on 22 Jan 2020
Tillage Management: Gearing up for a busy spring
Despite a dry number days in all areas, there has been little opportunity for ground work this week. This spring is likely to be busy given the increase in spring crop area.