The recent spell of good weather has enabled significant progress in field work on many tillage farms. While planting is the biggest task, improved ground conditions also allowed harvesting of potatoes, maize, beans, soya beans and even some spring cereals.

Progress is variable

Soil type, recent rainfall levels and cultivation systems have all had an impact on progress. Some growers had close to 50% of their intended areas planted early this week, but this is less than 20% for many others. However, it would seem that most growers have scaled back their winter planting intentions because of the bad weather. This could range from about 30% reduction on lighter soils to well over 50% on the heavier land.

Progress has been slowest on heavier soils and across much of north Leinster. Here, land has been much slower to dry following the last big downpours, especially what was ploughed ahead of planting. Much of the work being done is being described as “marginal”.

Many growers are caught between harvesting potatoes and planting winter cereals. Wheat is the main focus on heavier land where ground conditions are marginal and soil type favours wheat production.

Conditions were better down south, where drills have been moving since Sunday and have been going strong since then, ahead of another forecasted break in the weather.

Much of the early focus was on winter barley and some, who have winter barley only, have virtually completed their revised area.

Some growers have since switched to wheat and oats, with the possibility of coming back to barley if conditions allow.