Tom Tierney - June 2024

Why the straw chopping scheme is one of the Department’s best ever initiatives...

… and why I have asked my regular straw customers to book their order before the BISS deadline

The winter rape on the farm is complete and the gate closed. The BISS application went in on time and I applied for the maximum 40ha for the straw chopping scheme (SIM).

This is one of the most important and best schemes ever introduced by the Department, in my opinion.

Chopped straw increases soil organic matter and soil carbon stocks, enabling soils to better retain applied nutrients and grow better crops.

It increases soil microbiology activity, improving soil health, while also acting as an organic source of phosphorus and potassium.

It is one of the reasons my soil P and K levels are remaining in index 3 and 4, thereby reduce my overall dependence on synthetic fertiliser.

This year I asked my regular straw customers to book their order before the BISS deadline, so I could structure my nutrient management field plans.

Planning and knowing the amounts of P and K being returned to autumn-planted crops through chopped straw offers fertiliser cost savings and aids management of nutrients, especially with the new fertiliser register in place.

Most customers had no problem with this once they understood the reasoning behind it.

If others could adopt this practical management approach there would be no perceived straw shortage.

In April, the incessant rain finally stopped and we began drilling again.

Like many others we were left in the peculiar position of re-planting winter wheat and winter rye ground due to crop failure.

These were replaced by two lots of spring barley. The first was sown on April 22 where we had the winter rye.

The variety Planet was drilled at 230kg/ha with the intention of it going for malting. The second field of Gangway spring barley is destined for feed.

I use organic fertiliser wherever possible, and applied 7.5t/ha (3t/ac) of a 50:50 mix of locally sourced chicken litter and spent mushroom compost, giving about 56kg/ha (45 units/ac) of N.

It has also received to date 65kg/ha (52 units/ac) of liquid N along with 4kg/ha Epsotop organic fertiliser.

I am trying to reduce my overall N use, putting more emphasis on trace element crop nutrition and plant health.

Like all spring crops around the country I am seeing a lot of yellowing this year, most of which I attribute to poor soil and weather conditions following the wet winter.

While there may be some BYDV present, I think this is mainly due to stress, hence my focus on crop nutrition.

I intend to apply my final fungicide in the next week or so, most likely Protendo (0.6lt/ha) plus F500 (0.3lt/ha). I will also add in Epsotop (5kg/ha) and Turfcare Pro (5lt/ha) as crop nutrition.

I am currently doing my own three nutritional plot trials (each 4ha) in the spring beans. All plots will receive Epsotop (3kg/ha) and one each of 10L Superphite, 10L Mastercrop Magtech and 10L Router amino acid.

Hopefully I will be able to report back if any differences are found.