Weather: there have been some improvements in weather in recent days, with drying between the showers. Longer days are helping ground conditions, but there’s a long way to go and there is more rain forecast, which looks heavy at times.

The majority of well-drained soils remained at field capacity this week according to Met Éireann, with some just under field capacity in parts of Cork, Dublin and Carlow.

Winter cereals: winter cereal crops have started to turn colour in recent days where they have held well all year. When you can travel, get some compound fertiliser out on these crops. Winter cereals have grown a nice bit in recent days as temperatures have increased.

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There are crops lying in water in some parts and missing plants. Travelling in counties Down and Antrim last week, there were some winter cereal crops in serious trouble, sitting in wet ground and some with large patches missing.

Keep an eye out for rust in winter wheat. There have been reports of yellow rust, but it is not advisable to treat it at present. If you are travelling with the sprayer it should be to tidy up weeds as a priority, with nutrition to treat deficiencies if possible when you are travelling.

Tillage support: you must apply for the Tillage Support scheme by 9 March on your MyAgfood account online or contact your adviser. Apply under the heading Tillage Sustainability Support Payment. You are eligible to apply if you grew barley, oats, wheat, rye, triticale or oilseed rape in 2025. The maximum rate of payment is €110/ha and this will be paid on the first 100ha of land. After this the payment drops to €90/ha from 100-125ha, €70/ha from 125-150ha and €50/ha after 150ha.

For detailed instructions on how to apply for the scheme, take a look at Darren Carty’s article on the opposite page. It is not yet clear when the payments will be made, but now you can budget for it.

If you have any queries you can phone the Department of Agriculture on 057 8674422 or email tillage@agriculture.gov.ie

Order seed and fertiliser: Get ordering seed and fertiliser where possible. Get seed into yards and ready for sowing. Hauliers will be extremely busy in the coming weeks. Check your soil samples are in date.

Under nitrates rules, soil samples are valid for four years and you must have at least one soil sample for every 5ha (12ac). If you don’t have in-date soil samples then you need to assume index four for phosphorus, meaning you cannot apply phosphorus to land via artificial fertiliser or imported organic manures.

Farming for Water: some farmers were notified this week that their payment for planting cover crops under the Farming for Water programme will be paid. Some have received it, so keep an eye on your email and your bank account. It is worth checking all payments have landed from the Department of Agriculture as well.