The weather has been generally good for planting up until now, but rain this week will put a stop to it for some.

That said, the majority of farmers seem to have the crops they wanted to plant so far in the ground.

Sowing will continue after some break crops like potatoes and even some beet that has been pulled.

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Ideal

It is still an ideal time to be planting winter wheat and winter oats where the weather allows. Herbicides are an important job on the list now and it will be difficult to get a pre-emergence onto some of the last crops that were planted. Crops have been emerging fast and the herbicide should not be applied at peri-emergence, when the crop is about to break ground or is near the surface.

These products like damp conditions, but there is a line between damp conditions and heavy rain, so avoid applying before very heavy rain is forecast. Some have been applying aphicides and September-sown crops are at high risk of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV).

All crops carry some risk and it is up to individuals if they spray or not. Aphid numbers have been high, but many will think bad of spraying a variety they paid more for which has BYDV tolerance or resistance. The two hard grass frosts may have helped to reduce numbers slightly. Assess your own situation, temperatures and proximity to the coast. Was there a green bridge before planting?

As rain and a storm are due over the weekend get on top of records. Write down, the date you planted, the seed rate, the variety. The date a herbicide or aphicide was applied. Keep your seed labels for inspections.

Land rental

There have been some high prices thrown about for land rental in parts of the country. Cork seems to be a hot spot, but there are plenty of figures surprising people across the country. Tillage farmers need to seriously look at the income from their crops.

On rented land how is that stacking up, even where there is a high-value crop in the mix? Is paying a high price to hold onto land going to make sense for your business? Is it going to put you under too much financial pressure?

Figures of €500/ac and over are not sensible in the current climate.

Tillage Day

To avail of the discounted rate for Tillage Day you need to purchase your ticket in the next week. All tickets include entrance to the conference, exhibition area, refreshments and dinner. The early-bird rate will close on 28 October. After this the price increases to €60.

See this week and next week’s tillage pages for a preview of what is coming up at the conference. Tillage Day is organised by the Irish Farmers Journal and supported by the Irish Seed Trade Association.

To purchase tickets you can log onto www.ifj.ie/tillageday or phone 01-4199525 or you can scan this QR code with your smart phone.