Tillage Newsletter - May 2022

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In this month's edition:

• Winter wheat
  The introduction of new fungicides to control disease in winter wheat are welcome but fungicide timing is still a key determinant of successful disease control in wheat. A fully emerged leaf 1 (flag leaf) and leaf 3 are the key timings. Research has shown that plus or minus seven days of a fully emerged leaf 1 can make a significant difference to disease control in high disease pressure situations.
• Winter barley
  The latest stage to safely use a PGR is the awns peeping. Terpal 1.2-1.5L/ha or Cerone 0.6-0.7L/ha are options but watch latest timing. The final fungicide needs to be timed at the awns emerging stage.
• Spring barley disease control
  Applying a fungicide at the correct timing is the foundation for successful disease control in spring barley. Teagasc research indicates that applying the first fungicide at mid/late tillering and a second at awn emergence can result in a yield increase of over 0.5t/ha in a high disease pressure year over delayed timings.
• Beans
  Beans were sown earlier than normal this year, which may increase disease pressure. The key to bean disease control is early spraying when disease is first seen or expected. Chocolate spot is the main threat but downy mildew and sometimes rust can rob yield.
• Buffer zones
  May is a busy month for the application of plant protection products (PPPs). It is important to adhere to the buffer zones on product labels to protect our water. Buffer zones are applicable to all surface waterbodies and can vary in size (1m-70m) but 1m applies in all cases regardless of application rate.
• Basic Payment Scheme
  The closing date for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications for this year is Monday May 16. Application for the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) is also done at this time.
• Health & Safety - May is a high-risk month
  May is the month when silage making commences. It is a high-risk month when safety planning is needed. There is a lot of machinery movement, both in the farmyards and on public roads, so knock-down, roll-over and crushing accidents are possible.