A bit more planted

Ground conditions improved for some in the past week as a few days without rain gave way to some cold sunshine. Ploughs came back out in places and there was some planting done in the early days of this week. Conditions remain marginal at best and some areas seem set to get another serious belt of rain this week.

Crop condition: The general condition of planted crops depends very much on when they were planted. It is now taking four weeks to get a crop through the ground and this is more likely to increase than decrease. But if you get a crop planted in good conditions this still gives that crop a reasonable chance. Wet spots and springs could still occur in early-sown fields and this may be something we will have to live with for the year ahead.

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While conditions may be marginal, there is no guarantee that we will get good sowing conditions in the early part of next spring either. These poor planting conditions are not unique to Ireland and things are as bad or worse in Britain. Already there is talk from there that growers will be pushed towards fallow for next year and that impacts on overall supply and price sentiment.

Different bits of market news have added a firmness to grain markets and there now seems to be room for price optimism for the current and new crops, as we move towards the new year.

I note with interest that many met stations in the main tillage areas are now on, or very close to, their 30-year average rainfall levels. This is especially the case for stations in Leinster but stations in the south and north have further to go to hit their average values. We need not stop at our average values but we might expect less rain in these areas for the remainder of the year if growers do get crops planted.

Pests

Crows are more active in some regions than in others and shorter days combined with lower temperatures could mean that activity will increase. You may need to put crow deterrents in place in recently planted crops but do this earlier rather than allowing them onto your fields first.

You should also keep an eye our for other potential problems like slugs, rabbits and signs of rat or mouse damage.

Planting

Wheat is the only crop that should be going in now, especially on heavier ground. It can take more hardship if you can keep crows and slugs away. If land is good enough, the calendar should not dictate decisions. Plant any wheat now at around 375 seeds/m2 to establish 300 plants/m2. That would mean either side or 185 kg/ha (12 st/ac) for 50g seed based on 95% germination and 85% establishment.

Sprays: The past week has shown us that windows to get work done will appear and you must be ready. However, one should think twice about spraying weak poorly emerging crops. This is because it could further damage crops emerging under pressure or if you ended up with a crop failure the spray could limit potential following crops.