Crops and ground conditions

How different can two years be? This time last year there was still a lot of planting to be done. This year virtually everything is sown and the ongoing planting is pushing up the total winter sowings.

Compared with most previous autumns, ground conditions for harvesting and planting can only be described as great. Land has soaked up the recent rain and conditions may stay good for at least another week. But a significant temperature drop seems to be on the cards for the week ahead.

There appears to be very little slug activity at the moment, especially following risk crops. However, there are reports of slug activity following beans and this would be unusual.

Crows appear to be an increasing problem and a greater threat to crops being planted now. This is resulting in significant plant loss in some fields and action is required to slow or stop the damage. This problem may get worse as temperatures drop and it takes crops longer to emerge.

Planting

Get all remaining planting completed as soon as possible while ground conditions remain good. There is still some winter barley being planted. While it is now a bit late it can still do well as long as planting conditions and fertility are good enough.

Plant winter barley at 400 seeds/m2 for conventional varieties to establish around 350 plants and aim to establish 220-240 plants per square meter for hybrids. Hybrids may have an advantage when planting late. Seed size is a major driver of seeding rate but establishment will fall as the year progresses (less than 80% now).

Plant wheat around or above 375 seeds/m2 to establish over 300 plants as there will be some level of plant loss through the winter. Plant oats at up to 450 seeds/m2 now as there is likely to be ongoing pressure from birds. 375 seeds/m2 requires 190 kg/ha (12 st/ac) for wheat with 50g TGW. For oats, 450 seeds requires 180 kg/ha (11.5 st/ac) for 40g TGW seed. Rates should be increased where establishment is likely to be lower.

Aphids

Aphid numbers would appear to be low in most areas but high risk situations are always high. Teagasc counts appear low at Oak Park but other areas could be very different. Crops sown for 6-8 weeks will need an aphicide now even if Deter was used. Crops sown early without Deter will need to be sprayed around the 2-3 leaf stage.

Weed control: Grass weed challenges govern herbicide choice and programmes. Most fields need wild oat control and this can be targeted with specific herbicides like Axial or Cheetah Extra, or with broader spectrum sprays like Alister or Pacifica. But application timing is important for these.

Targeting other problem grass weeds like sterile brome will involve a split treatment approach with options like pendimethalin or Firebird, pre-emerge or early post, followed by Broadway Star. If an autumn herbicide is not applied then Pacifica may be the only option during good growth conditions in spring.