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As was the case last week, some tillage parts of the country are above their 30-year average rainfall, mainly across the south, while met stations in the midlands are currently below and may well stay below that average. But there is nothing particularly unusual in that.
It is possible to see signs of ongoing growth and that is generally good. But it also means that weeds are growing too and you need to know what’s there to be ready to tackle them at an appropriate time in spring.
Growers received their payment recently for the 2018 protein crop. While many crops did not have a good year, possibly arising more from the heat than the dryness, it must be remembered that many other spring crops had a bad year also.
While protein crops must wash their face, they also bring an additional yield kick to the following crop. A number of growers have recognised this and they plan to continue with the crop for this reason alone.
However, I must ask if the benefit of beans will be as good in 2019 as in recent years, given that the crop itself was generally poor? It remains to be seen if the residual nitrogen and other soil benefits will be as big following a poor crop. That said, we must assume that 2019 will be a normal year and that yield potential will at least be average.
The protein payment will be in place for 2019. However, it is important to state that this could be the last year of the scheme as we await suggestions and details of how the next CAP will promote the production of protein in the EU.
This could well be more focused on continental rather than Irish producers, so make the best use of the option in 2019. A significant lowering of our area in 2019 (driven by decision rather than weather) could be perceived as a lack of interest and used against us in any new scheme.
Do you know a young person that could benefit from a season of farming experiences in the US? As well as seeing and learning how things are done on farms there, previous participants say the experience has broadened their perspective on life in general. They also learned that there is potential opportunity to be gleaned from every situation.
Participants have gained personally from the very many ancillary contacts they made, the people they met and the opportunities they engaged in.
This is a wonderful experience and an opportunity to change one’s perspective on life in general. If you know of someone who might benefit from the opportunity, please encourage him/her to consider applying for the ITLUS/UAS internship. Details and application forms are now available on www.itlus.ie or www.ulsterarablesociety.org/.
Best wishes: I would like to wish all our readers the very best for 2019 and beyond. May this be the year that combines high yields with good prices. Happy new year.
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