Tillage advice: Product choices and management of winter crops

The poor weather over the past couple of weeks has resulted in waterlogged soils on most farms. The forecast for the next few days isn't a lot better. Michael Hennessy, Head of Crops Knowledge Transfer, offers advice on product selection and the management of winter crops in this article.

Even though there will be very little crops planted in the next few days, there are other areas where all farmers can look to plan ahead and ensure that when the weather does improve all materials needed are in stock on the farm.

Given the slide in grain prices over the past few weeks, the financial margins are getting tighter by the day. All crops will need to achieve a high yield and/or low cost of production to ensure any financial margin in 2023. There is no room this year to apply inputs which are not proven by science (independent trials) to return a multiple of their costs.   

Farmers should strive to inform themselves which products are essential and which products may not be as useful. Farmers should not just apply the crop recommendation from the advisor without questioning every part of the recommendation to ensure there is a good return from money spent.  Yes this takes some effort by you as a farmer, and it may seem daunting given the array of products which may be recommended, but asking some pointed questions about each product and the necessity of that product maybe enough to put your mind at ease that your money is well spent.

Winter wheat

Winter crops have greened up in the last 10 days and, despite the weather, are growing at a moderate level. The earliest planted crops of winter wheat are now at or close to growth stage 30. However this varies quite a bit depending on when the crop was sown and also the aspect of the field. The ideal time to apply growth regulator to wheat is between growth stage 30 and growth stage 31. Products like Moddus 0.2 L/ha + CCC 75% 1.0L/ha is a good option or if there is good growth weather just CCC 75% 2.0L/ha on its own will suffice. There is no need to apply a fungicide at this timing to control septoria, however there are a number of varieties which you should keep an eye on for yellow rust. There have been no reports so far of a major yellow rust outbreak; however walk your field carefully and regularly if you are growing a susceptible variety.

Winter barley

Winter barley is at or close to growth stage 30 and is due to receive the balance of nitrogen in the next week to 10 days. Disease levels are reasonably low. However crops such as Cassia should be watched carefully for Rhynchosporium, as this can reduce the number of tillers on plants thus reducing yield. When using a three spray fungicide programme in winter barley, target the first fungicide application around late tillering to growth stage 30.

Winter oilseed rape

There are many winter oilseed rape crops starting to flower at the moment, which is perhaps a little earlier than normal, however it will take a little while before any of these crops are in full bloom. At this stage all of the main nitrogen should be applied to crops and the final application (50-60kg N/ha) will be applied to crops as late as possible, taking into account the height of the crop to help with pod fill. Sclerotinia is the next disease to be watching out for. This, however, will not need any action until crop is at the early petal fall stage.

Tillage Edge

In this week’s Tillage Edge Podcast, Darren Allen, a farmer from Ballymaloe, Co Cork, talks about the steps he has taken over the past few years to improve his farm’s efficiency and also improving the environmental credentials on the farm. The farm’s rotation was adjusted to improve yields and, as a result of that, benefits in soil health have been seen along the way.

Ciara O Donovan, a Teagasc tillage advisor in Cork, and also Darren’s advisor, spoke very highly about the strides Darren has made in improving water quality, space for nature areas on the farm and also efficiency of nutrient use on the farm.

For more information on the Tillage Edge podcast, click here.