Cereal growth ‘jumping’

WINTER and spring cereals are generally growing well with little disease, according to Teagasc advisers.

The only tillage problems are lack of moisture hitting late sown barley in the south east; the first confirmations of potato blight in Cork, Kerry and South Tipperary; and crows attacking winter barley.

Winter wheat: nearly all crops are at the booting to head emerging stages; some advanced crops are at flowering stage. Septoria tritici is widespread at moderate levels on the lower leaves.