Teagasc will host a number of grain seminars over the coming weeks and the Kildare event takes place this Wednesday in Athy in the Clanard Court Hotel.

The theme of the seminar, The €50 challenge, obliges each presenter to show how to make, or save, an additional €50/ac in 2018. This is a sound objective, regardless of what happens to fertiliser or grain prices this season.

Four presentations are planned. These will deal with very practical topics relating to winter oilseed rape, soil fertility, winter barley management and late-sown winter wheat.

John Spink from Teagasc will talk about optimising the decisions for winter oilseed rape production.

Martin Bourke of Teagasc will talk about the importance of understanding soil fertility for profitable spring cereal production.

Crop consultant John Metcalfe will discuss the necessity to put the principals into practice when growing winter barley.

Brian Reilly, who manages the field trials at Drummonds, will talk about the management of late-sown winter wheat.

Seed trade promotes excellence in January seminars

Teagasc seminars focus on adding to the bottom line

While poor ground conditions continue to keep farmers off the land, attending seminars to help sharpen management for the year ahead is time well spent.