Tillage: Welcome rains starting to boost crop growth rates
The benefit of the recent rains on crop growth rates is becoming evident, but soil moisture deficits are still high in most areas.
That's according to Teagasc tillage specialist, Shay Phelan, who said: “Parts of the Midlands have received very little rain up to this point.”
“But it’s a progressive story. The rains that have fallen are helping the cause of all cereal crops.
“Winter barley crops are at that all-important grain fill stage. And all spring crops needed the moisture in order to maintain their growth profiles."
The Teagasc representative is of the view that the recent dry weather may have impacted on the yield potential of spring cereals.
“But we won’t get a real handle on the issue until such times as the crops are harvested,” Phelan further explained.
Meanwhile, disease pressures within most cereal crops remain low.
And, significantly, Phelan believes that a threshold has been crossed to the effect that the real threat from disease is on a downward trajectory.
He said: “Yes, the conditions that are conducive for mildew to get a foothold in winter wheat may increase over the coming days.
“But the risk of such a threat having a meaningful impact on final crop yields is questionable.
“It will take at least three weeks for the mildew-causing organisms to move from the bottom of plants up to their flag leaves.
“But by this stage, grain fill will be well underway.”
Where spring barley crops are concerned, ramularia will be the key threat to be confronted by tillage farmers over the coming days.
According to Phelan again: “The threat posed by wet weather diseases such as rhynchosporium is extremely at this stage.”
Where potatoes are concerned, the tillage specialist said that first earlies will be dug next week in counties Wexford and Down.
Main crop growers are reporting that the recent rains will help to significantly boost crop growth rates, after a dry spell that severely curtailed haulm development.
Meanwhile, this week will see Teagasc hosting two potato crop walks. The first will take place near Bellewstown, Co. Meath on Wednesday evening (May 28) with the focus turning to the Goresbridge area of Co. Kilkenny on Thursday (May 29).
Compiling effective blight prevention programmes will be the main subject under discussion at both venues.
The weather for the week ahead promises a mix of sunny intervals and showers, with winds gusting to near gale force at times. Temperatures will be slightly below normal for this time of the year.
