Heatwave brings early harvesting
Many very late sown spring barley crops are suffering from drought stress, and are quite poor, said Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc.
“Yield expectations are low in some crops. Given the dry weather, the low disease pressure. and low yield potential, where final fungicides are yet to be applied, tailor the final fungicide spend accordingly. In most cases, a very low fungicide spend is warranted.”
He advised tillage growers to ensure forward sales are based on realistic yield estimates for grain and straw.
There is potential in many areas to sell standing crops of cereals to livestock farmers as whole crop for ensiling, but it is hard to estimate yield, so there is a challenge to achieve a fair deal. Target the highest yielding crops, generally winter wheat.
An early harvest is expected, with some winter barley ripe and harvested this week, giving rise to opportunities to plant crops like fodder rape, stubble turnips, after sourcing and agreeing terms with a livestock farmer to buy themfor in mid to late autumn grazing in situ. Adequate moisture for satisfactory establishment is needed before planting forage crops. Use a low cost establishment system such as direct drilling, to protect profit margins and to conserve moisture. Rolling after planting is recommended in all cases.
Crops such as beet and potatoes are under considerable moisture stress. The irrigation priority crop is potatoes, to protect yield.
