Weather: the weather over the Christmas period provided some great drying and there was plenty of ploughing done in different parts of the country. Beet was also being pulled, potatoes as well and a bit of spraying – from winter cereal herbicides to glyphosate applications.

Since 1 January farmers have been allowed to destruct cover crops. Some are grazing these crops, while some got out the rollers in the frosty weather to knock them down. The frost was barely hard enough for the job and the thaw came early in the morning, so the opportunity was limited. Rolling in the frost kills many of the plants and helps to get them to break down.

There are a lot more cover crops than usual this year and there are some very big crops, so rolling can be a help with these big crops but glyphosate may still be needed, especially where grass weeds are a risk.

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This week temperatures are increasing, which should help glyphosate to work. There is rain in the forecast so this might curtail travel.

Herbicides: there looks to be a lot of winter cereal crops not sprayed with herbicide, and while some were treated in recent weeks there are more to be done.

Remember you can no longer use Firebird Met. However, Firebird can still be used this season and towards the end of 2026. Other options would be Flight, Tower or Defy plus DFF. You may well need to tidy up broadleaved weeds with a sulphonyl urea product in the springtime.

On winter wheat you are looking at similar options.

Alister Flex is another option. Pacifica Plus can not be used until February. Manhattan, which is the upgraded version of Broadway Star, is important for the control of brome, but does not work on annual meadow grass. If you have a brome problem it is a good option and offers more control of broadleaved weeds now too.

Beans: some farmers have been planting beans in recent days or are hoping to plant in the coming days if weather allows. Crows are the big problem when planting early, and the risk of a wet winter and spring ahead.

Plant deep to reduce the risk of crows attacking crops. Some are planting into cover crops, which might help to keep crows away where they are being direct drilled into the ground and the cover is left on top.

If you are doing this you will need good weed control of the cover crop at or before planting, as if it does not get under control early it will compete with the bean crop. The Department has not yet released the recommended list for beans in 2026, but Lynx, Protina and new variety Callas will take up most of the seed availability.

Events: there are many different events on this month from the Teagasc Tillage conference on 28 January to tillage seminars in regional offices. Some merchants are also hosting events and Dairygold’s conference is on Friday 9 January in Corrin Event Centre, Fermoy.