Teagasc Crops Forum addresses soil health rotations and early planting
The forum addressed key agronomy issues and strategies for improving soil health at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, County Kildare
Print16 September 2024
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) recently shared data on this year’s cereal varieties.
Cara MacAodháin emphasised the value of selecting varieties from the Recommended List, which have been tested under challenging conditions and proven reliable, according to Teagasc.
Ciaran Collins, Teagasc Tillage Specialist, offered strategies to recover from the wet 2023/2024 season.
Collins said: “Spreading the risk across multiple crops will give farmers the best chance of an improved income. Using multiple crops allows a wider planting window thereby helping to plant and subsequently manage each crop at the optimum time.”
Dr. Richie Hackett from the Teagasc Crops Research Centre discussed winter barley trials, noting that early September sowing can risk lower yields due to take-all or BYDV, but proper management can mitigate these risks.
The forum also covered soil improvement. Dr. Veronica Nyhan, a Soil and Plant Nutrient Specialist, explained that farmers can easily assess their soils to address deficits and enhance yield potential.
Cathal Somers, a Water Specialist, addressed soil drainage, recommending simple checks to remedy wet patches and maintain field drainage efficiency.
“It is often the simple checks and cheap checks which can make a large difference to remedying wet patches in fields. Firstly, check the field drain outlet and the overall drainage channel are not blocked. Secondly, check field drain by rodding the pipe for immediate blockages,” notes Somers.
Eoghan O’Brien, an ASSAP advisor, highlighted practical steps to prevent nutrient runoff into waterways.
The event proceedings will soon be made available here.
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