IT’S GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT YEAR SO ALL COSTS SHOULD BE SCRUTINISED TO ENSURE VIABILITY

may have to use higher seed rates when drilling to allow for losses. Remember: leaving poor land fallow or sowing grass in an arable field will also help to satisfy the threecrop rule.

Check your soil samples and if your P and K levels are low consider combine drilling the fertiliser with the seed. We are noting an increase in applications under TAMS for combined seed and fertiliser drills. Many farmers are now realising the potential yield penalties associated with low fertility soils. Applying fertiliser close to the seed is a necessity for higher yields.

If a combine drill is not available, you should ensure that fertiliser is put on early and as close to the seed as possible. Higher P usage rates are allowed if you can prove average yields are higher than the standard over the last three years.

If in doubt, check with your adviser. Many growers still do not give due recognition to the value of lime. If your pH levels are low uptake of fertiliser is poorer and obviously yields will be poorer. A minimum pH of 6.5 is required. If pH levels are above 7 an additional 20 kgs of P per hectare is allowed as P tends to be locked up in high pH situations.

It appears that fertiliser costs have increased significantly over 2017 so judicial use of fertiliser based on relevant recent soil results is essential to minimise costs.

Organic manures should be used where possible. As previously advised by both myself and my colleagues, should local livestock farmers require an outlet for their surplus manures this is the time of the year to get best benefit from it.

CONTRACTS FOR GRAIN

Many growers are currently questioning some of the available contracts. While there is no doubt that extra money can be generated from speciality grain contracts, the small print should be studied before signing on the dotted line.

Growing crops for seed can be very attractive but

Pat Minnock is a Carlow based agricultural consultant and a member of the ACA and the ITCA. www.minnockagri.ie