Spring beans unlikely to be drilled before March - agronomist
It may well be the beginning of March before the first of this year’s spring beans are drilled, according to agronomist Brian Reilly.
This is a fortnight later than growers would normally target for this crop
The Drummonds' representative explained: “We have had wall-to-wall rain for the last fortnight and the weather forecast promises more of the same next week.
“This takes us well into the second half of February. And, assuming that weather conditions do improve at that stage, it will take some time for growers to get ground properly prepared for the planting of crops.”
However, Reilly believes that beans will be a key driver for spring plantings this year.
"They are eligible for the protein support payment and yield well if planted out early enough on the good ground," he explained
“Other planting options over the coming weeks are spring barley and wheat.
"Oats will not be a runner in 2026: there’s just much of last year’s crops still in store."
Winter cereals
Turning to the management of winter cereals, Reilly confirmed that most crops have established well and continued to meet their growth targets despite the heavy rains that have hit all parts of the country since the turn of the year.
“The one exception to this general trend would some crops of winter barley, where plant numbers have taken a hit," he said.
In such cases, the agronomist warned that it is important to get nitrogen fertiliser applied as soon as ground conditions permit.
“If a granular option is selected, then protected urea is the option to run with," he continued.
“However, foliar nitrogen applications are worth considering. They are faster acting than granules, by some five to six days."
Reilly also pointed out that the fact that the nitrogen utilisation rate is higher than that achieved using a traditional spreader means that foliar nitrogen products are also very cost-effective.
Yellow rust
Significantly, the Drummonds’ agronomist is confirming that 90% plus of the winter wheat crops grown in Ireland this year will be impacted by yellow rust.
“Approximately, 75% of the winter wheat varieties available in Ireland last year were yellow rust-susceptible," Reilly said.
“Given this backdrop, growers must be vigilant where the disease is concerned, in the spring period.
"It’s important to get an effective T0 spray mix applied to wheat crops in early April, one that is yellow rust active. This will be the starting point to a four-spray programme.
“Sulphur should also be included in the T0 mix. It is an inherently strong fungicide, with trials confirming that its use will boost wheat yields by an average of 0.5t/ha.”
Reilly emphasised how important yields are likely to be for tillage farmers this year.
“Grain prices remain in the doldrums and tillage farmers are facing into another year of tight margins," he explained.
“This makes the securing of the highest yields possible all the more relevant. And in this context, recklessly cutting cost is a false economy.
“I have just worked through costings for a winter wheat spray programmes using both the cheapest and most trusted products on the market.
“The difference in price is equivalent to a return in yield equivalent to just 0.05t/ac.
“Given these circumstances, the benefits of using products with a proven track record of maximising yields are obvious.”
