Cereal growing season off to a bad start, says Teagasc

The cereal year has got off to a bad start, with all drilled crops coming under pressure this autumn, according to Teagasc.

Wet seedbeds, below average seed vigour, and high-pest attacks (especially slugs and crows) have all conspired to reduce plant counts.

While wheat and oats can compensate to a great extent, winter barley crops will require increased husbandry in the early spring to ensure good plant counts, and yield potential, say advisors.