23-05-2025
Signpost: All we need is a bit of rain for the crops
We are after a great spring in comparison to last year. The weather gave us ample opportunities for cultivating, setting and spraying. As a result, crops are looking extremely well.
We did run into a small bit of trouble with one field of spring barley that got heavily infected with leather jackets.
With all chemical control options now gone due to the increasing loss of chemistry in the EU, our only option was to give that field a roll with a flat roller, which thankfully stopped any further loss of plants.
All we need now is a bit of rain to keep things moving on. Crops are generally looking very well, and I am very happy with them.
All crops have received herbicide for weed control. The barley received Zypar at 1L/ha. As I write, fungicides are the next big task. The spring barley is due its T1 within the coming days.
I intend to apply Comet 200 at 0.5L/ha plus Xynteo at 0.8L/ha. The winter wheat will be receiving its T2 flag leaf spray. We must switch chemistry to avoid resistance build-up so it will be sprayed with Revystar XL at 1.5L/ha plus Arizona at 1.5L/ha.
Thankfully, I haven't seen yellow rust at this stage, which seems to be very prevalent in some varieties this year around the country, for whatever reason. This will be followed by the final head spray on the winter oats, which will be Elatus Era at 0.8L/ha. The peas and beans are due to get 0.6L/ha of Signum.
We have also taken the opportunity to plant our wild bird cover for the environmental scheme in great conditions, so now all we await is rainfall for its germination.
The other day, along with my Teagasc adviser and in preparation for a joint Signpost/Dairygold farm walk we are hosting in June, we carried out a procedure for the national 'GroundTruth' project aimed at checking our soil health.
It is called "the underwear degradation test" but most will call it the "underpants test".
All you need to do is dig a hole to three inches deep, place a pair of cotton underpants into it and refill the hole. Leave them there for a certain number of weeks before digging them back up.
The cotton is a source of food and carbon which will be eaten by bugs and microbes if they are present in the soil.
This won't give you a scientific result, but it will give you an indication of whether the decisions you are making are helping your soil or not.
We have buried two underpants, one in a field that is under a plough-based establishment system and the second in a min till system to see if we notice any differences.
The Teagasc/Dairygold Signpost Tillage Evening will take place on Wednesday the June 18, starting at 6:30pm.
The theme of the event is 'Managing Soils to grow Profit'. Topics on the evening will include soil health, crop establishment systems, crop nutrient, along with intercropping legumes and water quality.
All are welcome and we look forward to welcoming you to Ballymaloe for what promises to be a very informative and enjoyable evening.
Darren Allen is a Signpost tillage farmer based at Ballymaloe Farm, Ballymaloe, Shanagarry, Co Cork.
