Sowing
The Teagasc current recommended seeding rates see below: Spring Cereal TGW seed calculator 2019 (Excel).
Certified seed offers growers high germination capacity, purity of sample, free of weed seeds within tolerance levels and is treated against seed borne diseases. The DAFM has produced a comprehensive guide on seed certification.
Where seed is home-saved then it is important that it is tested for germination, Micodochium (Fusarium) seedling blight, etc. to ensure that it is suitable for use as seed.
As spring barley drilling dates are delayed, you should adjust seed rates (upwards) to take into account of higher expected estabilishment rates and lower tillering capacity.
Use the following calculation to set your drill:
- Target Plant Population X TGW
- Estimated plant establishment % = seed rate in kg/ha
- E.g. if you are drilling Propino with a TGW of 50.9 g and you want to establish 280 plants/m2 with a germination test is 95% and you estimate potential field losses (pests, capping etc) to be 10% then you should drill.
- 280 X 50.9 ÷ 85 = 168kg/ha
Assumes *85% establishment
| Spring Barley | ||||
|
Sow 350seeds/M2 To establish 300 seeds/M2 |
||||
| TGW | Check seed bag for TGW | Kg/ha* | St/ac* | |
| 40.0 | 141 | 9.0 | ||
| 42.0 | 148 | 9.4 | ||
| 44.0 | 155 | 9.9 | ||
| 46.0 | 162 | 10.3 | ||
| 48.0 | 169 | 10.8 | ||
| 50.0 | 176 | 11.2 | ||
| 52.0 | 184 | 11.7 | ||
| 54.0 | 191 | 12.1 | ||
| 56.0 | 198 | 12.6 | ||
| 58.0 | 205 | 13.0 | ||
| Assumes *85% establishment | ||||
| Spring Wheat | ||||
|
Sow 350seeds/M2 To establish 300 seeds/M2 |
||||
| TGW | Check seed bag for TGW | Kg/ha* | St/ac* | |
| 35.0 | 144 | 9.2 | ||
| 37.0 | 152 | 9.7 | ||
| 39.0 | 161 | 10.2 | ||
| 41.0 | 169 | 10.8 | ||
| 43.0 | 172 | 11.4 | ||
|
Spring Oats |
||||
|
Sow 350seeds/M2 To establish 300 seeds/M2 |
||||
| TGW | Check seed bag for TGW | Kg/ha* | St/ac* | |
| 29.0 | 119 | 7.2 | ||
| 31.0 | 121 | 7.7 | ||
| 33.0 | 128 | 8.2 | ||
| 35.0 | 136 | 8.7 | ||
| 37.0 | 144 | 9.2 | ||