75% of spring cereals drilled but potato area down

Teagasc advisers reported last week that up to 75% of spring cereals had been drilled, and February sown barley was already at the one-leaf stage (growth stage 11).

Initial indications were that the spring cereal area will be similar to 2011.

However, the news was not so good for potato growers, with poor prices and slow demand. As a result, many growers are forced, or will be forced, to reduce acreage this year, according to Teagasc advisers.