Organic Farming: Key techniques on organic tillage farm

Alan Jackson recently hosted an Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association farm walk on his tillage and beef farm, writes Oliver Moore.

This week, this column will discuss his tillage crops with the midlander.

Where is this farm located Alan?

My farm is located close to the Gurteen Agricultural Collage, between Birr, Co Offaly, and Borrisokane, Co Tipperary. I’ve 50 acres of tillage and 70 in grass. I use a five-year rotation, three in tillage and two in grassland. Ideally, I’ve the first year in barley, two years in oats, then two in grass.

What are the main issues with your tillage crops?

Last year I lost 20 acres with weather and lodging, and red shank. Some of my oats are starting to lodge and red shank was coming up again. So I’ll try to grow winter oats and have it harvested before red shank comes up.

Will there likely to be any cost implications?

Under TAMs, I can get 60% grant for disc harrow. I’ll purchase one to get all the seeds germinating, and then two to three weeks later I’ll give it another run with the disc harrow.

Is it trailed or mounted disc harrow?

Trailed is better, mounted can be very heavy — which can then lead to compaction.

Are there any other techniques for dealing with red shank?

This year to deal with red shank, I reduced the seeding rate. Flahavan’s held a conference for their oat growers and this was suggested, so I’ve trialled it. I was applying 12 stone per acre, now I apply 10 stone, and the straw is stronger, so it won’t lodge as easily. That said the weather will always have an impact, every year.

Attendees at the walk were also interested in your nutrient application.

Yes, in terms of nutrients I apply five tonnes of dairy sludge per acre, which I get from Ballyragget . Maybe there’s been too much

applied, maybe the crop is getting too heavy. So, next year, I’ll sow a winter crop and apply less dairy sludge. I was getting three tonnes per acre a few years ago, nearly up at conventional levels. Conventional lads can spray crops with shortener, which prevents lodging. In organic you can’t use shortener.

Where is the market for your crops?

All my oats go to Flahavans for porridge, the barley goes to Waterford Distillery for their organic whiskey.

Myself and five other organic farmers are supplying this market. I was very lucky to get this one as they are not taking on any more at the moment.

How is the barley growing? Are there any weed issues with that crop?

For the barley, I apply 14 stone per acre sowed. Application is as dense as possible, to out-compete the weeds. There are a few docks in one field, it’s not major, but I’ve only noticed it this year with barley. Oats seem to have natural weed suppression; certainly the oats grow taller than the weeds.

Barley has more of a dock problem, but the field will be in oats and then grass, so it’ll be fine. A vigorous grass will out-compete the docks.

Out-competing is a main technique in organic — for grass or cereal crops, and the time of year is very important too. A warm seedbed is vital. So I tend not to plant too early, mid- to late April is fine for spring crops. Otherwise the weeds grow faster than the crop — especially in a cooler seedbed.

What about pests?

It’s the same with slugs and wireworm as well. Once you put the crop into warm ground, it’s up ahead of all competition.

Next week, we’ll discuss the mixed farming dimension to Alan’s farm.