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Ballycarney, Co Wexford
Things are burning up in Ballycarney due to the lack of rain and the hot dry conditions. Around the time of T1 applications in Julian’s spring barley, localised showers helped keep crops in those areas ticking over. No rain has fallen since then, resulting in drought conditions, which is taking its toll on Julian’s crops.
In a year like this, variations in soil type becomes obvious. Crops on sandy light soils are the first to burn up, while crops on soil with a good structure are in much better condition. “Nearly every field has an area which is affected by the drought,” Julian explains.
While later-sown crops were sown into a moist seedbed, they have received virtually no rain since then and as a result are very thin due to tiller abortion. Around the time of the T1, trace element deficiencies were very apparent. Julian applied manganese, which seems to have elevated some of the deficiency problems.
Rain could cause problems
While rain would be very welcome, it could cause problems at this stage, particularly in terms of regrowth leading to an uneven crop at harvesting.
The heads are now out in Julian’s spring barley. Last week, he applied head sprays early in the morning or late in the evening. He applied Ceriax at 1.5l/ha and Bravo at 1.0l/ha. Crops remain spotless: “You’d really wonder if you could have got away with Bravo on its own.”
BYDV does not appear to be a problem this year despite relatively high numbers of yellow leaves this time last month. Like everywhere else in the country, straw demand is high in Julian’s area. Spring crops are very short and thin meaning straw yields will be reduced.
No combines are working in Julian’s area just yet and he estimates that winter barley will be ready in a week to 10 days’ time. With no letup in dry weather in sight, Julian fears that, as well as a reduction in yield, screenings could become an issue as he grows both malting and seed barely.
“Crops aren’t that much later than a normal year despite being sown three weeks later.”
Portlaoise, Co Laois
Thankfully, the combine was booked in for a service last week with TFM machinery as an early harvest is now on the cards in Laois, according to Eugene. The rasp bars of his John Deere 2254 were due to be replaced before this year’s harvest kicks off.
Over the past month, around 5mm of rain has fallen on Eugene’s farm. Conditions have been very warm and dry and, as a result, grass and crops on light spots of fields are burning up.
Up until last week, Eugene was pleasantly surprised by the general condition of his spring crops given the lack of moisture experienced over the past number of weeks. However, temperatures of up to 30°C last week have taken their toll on those crops.
His Olympus spring barley seed crop appears to be particularly stressed when compared with his Planet malting barley crop.
Three weeks ago, his spring barley received a head spray of Ceriax (1.5l/ha) and Bravo (1.0l/ha). Spraying was done in early mornings and later in the evening. Crops are very clean, with just the odd lesion of net blotch visible.
Trace element spray
In Eugene’s T1 application, he added in a trace element spray which appears to have helped somewhat with the deficiency issues. However, rain is the only real solution to these problems. He also added in EPSO Combitop (4.0kg/ha) with the T2.
Eugene’s spring oilseed rape has also suffered as a result of the ongoing drought conditions.
The crop raced through the growth stages and Eugene believes it never reached full flower: “We didn’t see the massive sea of yellow that you would normally expect.”
Two weeks ago, the crop received Globaztar (0.5l/ha) as well as Tebuconazole (0.6l/ha). No insecticide was used for pollen beetle this year.
It’s looking like the winter barley will be fit for cutting next week, according to Eugene: “It’s incredible what 24 hours in that heat has done – the change is so fast.” The crop looks promising and the grain has filled well.
“I still believe there’s some potential in my own spring crops but I wouldn’t be expecting to hit my five-year average this year.”
Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Stressed crops, stalled grass growth, fields burning up and silage being fed to livestock have been common sights in Ballinasloe over the past number of weeks, according to John. Just 25mm of rain fell in June in Athenry towards the start of the month, well behind the monthly average of 90mm.
Up until last week, heavy dews were enough to curb the worst of the drought conditions, but the intensified temperatures of 30°C last week combined with a drying wind accelerated the burning of crops.
The head is fully out in his spring barley crops after racing through the growth stages at a record pace. The crop stands at 620mm tall but remains under pressure for moisture. The crop appears thinner than earlier in the spring due to reduced tiller survival.
John applied the T2 on his spring barley last week, spraying at night time to avoid the intense heat. He applied Siltra (0.5l/ha) and Bravo (1.0l/ha). Crops remain very clean.
His spring oats, however, are looking superb according to John. The crops are holding their lush green colour despite the dry weather. The crops headed out last week and received a T2 consisting of Corbel (0.16l/ha) as well as a Strobilurin. However, continued dry weather is a concern and the condition of these crops may deteriorate.
John continues to receive phone calls for straw orders daily but is less than sure if supply will meet demand.
Challenging time for contractors
John has a lot of reseeding to do for farmers in the area. In many cases, the ground has been ploughed or disked for some time now. However, due to dry conditions, these fields can’t be sown. Similarly, due to the dry conditions, the last of the first-cut silage was mowed, raked and lifted immediately to prevent the crop from drying. “We’ve done this before in wet years, but never in my life have I done it for dry weather,” explains John.
“The weather is very settled. I could see this weather lasting for the month of July. The problem is when the break comes, it will be bad.”
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