Tillage Newsletter - November 2024

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In this month's edition:

• Weed control
  Autumn herbicide application is the most reliable way to control annual meadow grass (AMG) in winter wheat and barley. Applying residual herbicides in autumn up to early tillering in AMG offers the best chance of success. Control becomes less effective as AMG starts to tiller.
• Slugs
  Slugs were a major pest problem last season. While sowing conditions have been better this year, it is important to monitor for slug damage. Fields following oilseed rape or those with a history of slug damage are most at risk.
• BYDV
  Recent Teagasc barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) experiments on the early planting of winter barley have shown that:
  • early sowing increases BYDV risk;
  • later sowing gives similar or better yield than early sowing where BYDV is a risk; and,
  • selecting a tolerant variety reduces risk of yield loss to BYDV when sown early where BYDV is present.
• Fertiliser planning
  The fertiliser register is in place, so get your nutrient management plan together for 2025. Firstly, ensure you have enough soil samples for the land that you are farming.
• Signpost Tillage Programme farm walk
  Tom Tierney, Ballinafagh Farm, Prosperous, Co. Kildare, W91 A218 | Tuesday, November 19 from 11am to 1pm.
  Topics will include: soil assessment and remediation; direct drill establishment systems; cover crop management; hedgerow and farm biodiversity tips for tillage farms; and, simple measures on tillage farms to improve water quality.
• Health & Safety - Be winter ready
  Think about how severe weather might impact your work and take action. The Irish Government’s Be Winter Ready campaign focuses on ways to minimise disruption to farming during severe weather.