Farmers advised to control grassland weeds in winter barley as 'a priority'
Tillage farmers should get grassland weeds controlled in winter barley as soon as ground conditions permit, a crops specialist at Teagasc has urged.
According to Shay Phelan autumn herbicides can still be used on barley at this stage.
He said: "Weed control levels will not be the same as might have been expected had sprays been applied before Christmas.
“However, where the likes of annual meadow grass is concerned, sufficient control of the weed burden that exists now can still be achieved.”
The growing threat of herbicide resistance within weed populations was highlighted recently at the National Tillage Conference.
The event saw a strong focus placed on the issue of grass weed resistance to herbicide.
However, there is also a growing recognition of the threat posed by herbicide resistance within broad leaf weed populations and specifically where the use of sulfonylureas is concerned.
Grassland
Phelan said it is now strongly recommended that "sulfonlyureas should only be used in tandem with complimentary herbicide chemistries".
He is also advising that the second priority for tillage farmers as February progresses will be to walk all crops.
Many winter barley crops are looking quite yellow at the present time.
"The question is why has this come about?
“It may well be that crops need nitrogen. And, if this is the case, then a small application of the fertiliser once soil temperatures reach 5℃.
“Another issue could be that of sections within a crop having been planted out on compacted areas of a field," Phelan added.
He said in these circumstances, water will not be allowed to drain away freely.
"This is an issue that will require a more strategic approach on the part of the farmer," the Teagasc specialist has warned.
Meanwhile this week Teagasc is hosting a series of Winter Crop Walks at four venues starting at Oak Park today (Tuesday, February 10).
The other locations are the DAFM at Bayyderown, Co Cork (February 11); Cullen Grain, Ballymurn, Co Wexford (February 12) and Kildalton College, Co Kilkenny (February 13)
Shay Phelan said a crop walk will also be hosted in the north east over the coming days.
“The theme for each event will be of making best use of crop inputs in 2026.
“In the current climate, maximising the benefits of all crop inputs will be crucial for profitability," he added.
