Donald Logue, Muff, Co Donegal
There has been terrific weather in Donegal over the past week. Donald says the heat is very welcome to push crops on after a cool few weeks. “Things were moving a bit but not as much as you’d like. The weather has been better than last year though; there were great conditions last year but no moisture.”
The organic potatoes are emerging from the drills and Donald started weeding them on Saturday. His weeder runs a knife along the slopes of the drills and has done a good job. He then came back and applied a seaweed spray to the potatoes before reshaping the drills. Donald hopes to weed the crop one or two more times before the canopy fills in and most weeds will then be shaded out.
The mixed crop of barley, oats and peas has established well. Donald says that the three different species are accounted for and it has got off to a great start. The heat this week should help the mixed crop to drive on and get ahead of any weeds that may have come through in the recent rain.
The winter oats on the other hand have gone a bit pale in colour. Donald says they may have just run out of steam in his organic system at this stage of the growing cycle. He doesn’t think the paleness is too much of an issue for an organic crop. The oats will be fully headed out by the weekend and Donald notes there seems to be a decent number of grains in each panicle.
The crop has remained pretty clean too. There’s one or two weeds here and there but it’s nothing to worry about and there should not be any issues at harvest.
Donald is hoping to have the rest of his tomatoes planted by the end of this week too.
Donald Logue.
Michael Martin, Rathnure, Co Wexford
After what felt like an endless spring of cold winds, frosty mornings and farmers constantly refreshing weather apps, crops have finally found their feet. According to Michael, the recent spell of warm temperatures has transformed fields that only a few weeks ago looked reluctant to grow.
The spring barley is currently receiving its T1 fungicide programme, with Modem applied at 0.6l/ha and Province at 0.5l/ha. Trace elements are also being included where deficiencies have appeared. While some BYDV symptoms remain visible on leaves, Michael is encouraged by what he sees in the field.
“The crops are exceptionally thick in places and are actually meeting in the tramlines already,” he explained. “The recent rain has nearly turned them inside out with growth.”
Notably, no aphicide was applied this season. “We made the decision not to spray for aphids. In our view the chemistry available isn’t delivering the level of control required and with margins as tight as they are, it’s difficult to justify spending money where there isn’t a clear return.”
The oat crops are also progressing well, with winter oats receiving their final fungicide application this week. Spring beans have been treated for bean weevil and also received manganese to correct deficiencies. Fodder beet, which endured a slow start due to cold temperatures and persistent winds, has emerged strongly in recent weeks and was sprayed for weeds on Tuesday.
Winter cereals continue through their fungicide programmes. Winter barley has received all of its chemical sprays, while winter wheat received a fungicide spray on Monday consisting of Pintray at 0.45l/ha, Kingman at 1.5l/ha and Ascra Xpro at 1.5l/ha.
With crops sprayed, fertiliser spread and machinery temporarily parked, there may even be time for a brief break.
“I’m off on holidays for a few days to keep the tan topped up after that powerful week of Irish sunshine. Although, as my dairy farmer friends like to remind me, tillage farmers are supposedly on holidays from April until mid-July anyway.”
Michael Martin.
Nicholas Ryan,Clonmel, Co Tipperary
The sun is shining in Tipperary and the crops were moving through the growth stages quite quickly over the past week. The weather has been ideal for crops that have access to plenty of moisture and nice big canopies to absorb all the sunlight.
One crop really benefitting from the weather is the winter oilseed rape which has now finished flowering and is entering podfill. The heat and sunshine should help to fill the pods as long as the moisture remains in the ground.
The winter rye has received its head spray while it is due on the winter oats any day now. The winter wheat received Questar, Pontoon, Arizona and Medax Max at the beginning of the month and it is now due its T2 flag leaf spray. Nicholas will check the crop for yellow rust before application.
The spring barley has been sprayed for wild oats, weeds and aphids. It is growing well and it won’t be long until it needs a fungicide.
On the research side of the farm, research into including digestate and biochar with slurry has got underway.
This research aims to see whether the biochar and digestate will have any beneficial effect on soil health and the protein level of spring barley. The heritage spring wheat and barley plots are above ground too. They have established well and look quite healthy so far.
Golden Vale Research will be holding an open day on 20 June for anyone who is interested in seeing some of the research that is being carried out.
Nicholas has had the opportunity recently to travel to Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy in China with South East Technological University to give some lectures, including a talk on how a small country like Ireland can play a big role in global agricultural sustainability and food security.
Nicholas Ryan.
Donald Logue, Muff, Co Donegal
There has been terrific weather in Donegal over the past week. Donald says the heat is very welcome to push crops on after a cool few weeks. “Things were moving a bit but not as much as you’d like. The weather has been better than last year though; there were great conditions last year but no moisture.”
The organic potatoes are emerging from the drills and Donald started weeding them on Saturday. His weeder runs a knife along the slopes of the drills and has done a good job. He then came back and applied a seaweed spray to the potatoes before reshaping the drills. Donald hopes to weed the crop one or two more times before the canopy fills in and most weeds will then be shaded out.
The mixed crop of barley, oats and peas has established well. Donald says that the three different species are accounted for and it has got off to a great start. The heat this week should help the mixed crop to drive on and get ahead of any weeds that may have come through in the recent rain.
The winter oats on the other hand have gone a bit pale in colour. Donald says they may have just run out of steam in his organic system at this stage of the growing cycle. He doesn’t think the paleness is too much of an issue for an organic crop. The oats will be fully headed out by the weekend and Donald notes there seems to be a decent number of grains in each panicle.
The crop has remained pretty clean too. There’s one or two weeds here and there but it’s nothing to worry about and there should not be any issues at harvest.
Donald is hoping to have the rest of his tomatoes planted by the end of this week too.
Donald Logue.
Michael Martin, Rathnure, Co Wexford
After what felt like an endless spring of cold winds, frosty mornings and farmers constantly refreshing weather apps, crops have finally found their feet. According to Michael, the recent spell of warm temperatures has transformed fields that only a few weeks ago looked reluctant to grow.
The spring barley is currently receiving its T1 fungicide programme, with Modem applied at 0.6l/ha and Province at 0.5l/ha. Trace elements are also being included where deficiencies have appeared. While some BYDV symptoms remain visible on leaves, Michael is encouraged by what he sees in the field.
“The crops are exceptionally thick in places and are actually meeting in the tramlines already,” he explained. “The recent rain has nearly turned them inside out with growth.”
Notably, no aphicide was applied this season. “We made the decision not to spray for aphids. In our view the chemistry available isn’t delivering the level of control required and with margins as tight as they are, it’s difficult to justify spending money where there isn’t a clear return.”
The oat crops are also progressing well, with winter oats receiving their final fungicide application this week. Spring beans have been treated for bean weevil and also received manganese to correct deficiencies. Fodder beet, which endured a slow start due to cold temperatures and persistent winds, has emerged strongly in recent weeks and was sprayed for weeds on Tuesday.
Winter cereals continue through their fungicide programmes. Winter barley has received all of its chemical sprays, while winter wheat received a fungicide spray on Monday consisting of Pintray at 0.45l/ha, Kingman at 1.5l/ha and Ascra Xpro at 1.5l/ha.
With crops sprayed, fertiliser spread and machinery temporarily parked, there may even be time for a brief break.
“I’m off on holidays for a few days to keep the tan topped up after that powerful week of Irish sunshine. Although, as my dairy farmer friends like to remind me, tillage farmers are supposedly on holidays from April until mid-July anyway.”
Michael Martin.
Nicholas Ryan,Clonmel, Co Tipperary
The sun is shining in Tipperary and the crops were moving through the growth stages quite quickly over the past week. The weather has been ideal for crops that have access to plenty of moisture and nice big canopies to absorb all the sunlight.
One crop really benefitting from the weather is the winter oilseed rape which has now finished flowering and is entering podfill. The heat and sunshine should help to fill the pods as long as the moisture remains in the ground.
The winter rye has received its head spray while it is due on the winter oats any day now. The winter wheat received Questar, Pontoon, Arizona and Medax Max at the beginning of the month and it is now due its T2 flag leaf spray. Nicholas will check the crop for yellow rust before application.
The spring barley has been sprayed for wild oats, weeds and aphids. It is growing well and it won’t be long until it needs a fungicide.
On the research side of the farm, research into including digestate and biochar with slurry has got underway.
This research aims to see whether the biochar and digestate will have any beneficial effect on soil health and the protein level of spring barley. The heritage spring wheat and barley plots are above ground too. They have established well and look quite healthy so far.
Golden Vale Research will be holding an open day on 20 June for anyone who is interested in seeing some of the research that is being carried out.
Nicholas has had the opportunity recently to travel to Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy in China with South East Technological University to give some lectures, including a talk on how a small country like Ireland can play a big role in global agricultural sustainability and food security.
Nicholas Ryan.
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