Tillage Management: year-end gets sown crops through in moderate condition

Crops seem relatively full despite the poor and slow establishment conditions.

Andy Doyle

18 December 2019

Tillage Management: year-end gets sown crops through in moderate condition

Crops sown in marginal conditions have established relatively well, all things considered.

Weather: After a very wet second half of the year, it seems most areas will match or exceed their equivalent 30-year rainfall averages. This is hardly surprising given the rain in recent months and many may expect their 2019 rainfall level to be well above that average. But, for most, the first seven months were relatively dry so it took a lot of rain in the last five months to bring the yearly total up to around normal. Temperature levels and wet conditions would suggest aphids should not be a threat for BYDV transmission for the time being. Indeed, it would seem that numbers have been generally low all autumn but the critters have been seen in fields so one can never discount the risk. If we were to get a spell of much warmer weather through January we might need to ask some serious question as to the risk that might ensue.

Temperature levels and wet conditions would suggest aphids should not be a threat for BYDV transmission for the time being. Indeed, it would seem that numbers have been generally low all autumn but the critters have been seen in fields so one can never discount the risk. If we were to get a spell of much warmer weather through January we might need to ask some serious question as to the risk that might ensue.

Soil testing: This should remain a basic essential and sensible procedure on all farms. Good soil test results cannot be over-emphasised but they are frequently under-valued by farmers. Accurate test results help provide access to your resources and point out potential limiting deficiencies.

A soil test only remains valid for four years. After that, an area at Index 1 or 2 can only receive Index 3 levels of P application, regardless of its real needs. So out of date tests, or no test, confines one to maintenance dressings only for P or K. This is OK if you are a high Index 3 or Index 4 but with a lot of land at Index 1 or 2 soil fertility cannot be built up unless you have recent soil tests.

A soil test must be provided for every 5ha of land farmed. That’s 20 test results for 100ha. Test areas of known crop growth variability separately as test results can change even within a short distance and can be heavily influenced by soil texture.

Get soil samples taken and tested as soon as possible for spring crops or even winter crops where no fertiliser has yet been applied. Lime remains the most critical input for soil fertility so treat this as a priority. If soil pH is low, you get less benefit from the fertility in the soil or the expensive applied fertiliser. You can tackle low pH in a growing crop using granular lime.

Dates for your diary: The CAFRE/UAS/UFU arable conference takes place in Greenmount College on Tuesday 14 January.

Booking should be done online at www.ufuni.org/events. This year’s conference addresses subjects like protecting glyphosate, grain marketing, soil health and BYDV prevention. This year’s event has a start time of 9.00am.

The Teagasc National Tillage Conference takes place on 29 January in the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny.

Keep an eye out: As well as keeping an occasional eye on your crops, watch out for your neighbours too. This can be a tough time of year and a simple hello can be worth its weight in gold. And, most of all, stay safe and take care over the Christmas period.