Late sowing of crops brings added risks

As little as 10-15pc of crop planting has been done in some areas due to the wet conditions, with a week of dry weather needed for crops to be sown.

Stan Lalor, Director of Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc, said it is too late for winter wheat and getting late for spring wheat, beans and oats, which should ideally be established by mid-March.

“As planting gets later into mid-April, there is higher risk and ‘perfect’ growing conditions after sowing are needed,” he told the National Fodder and Food Security Committee meeting on Friday, while the harvest window later in the year will be a challenge. Based on previous years, late-sown crops are vulnerable if followed by a short or moderate drought in May or June, he said.

Challenging

“It’s all pointing to the area of risk with these later-sown crops,” said Lalor. “There are years where it’s happened before and been done, and sometimes it’s worked out well and, more times, has been very challenging.”

All this, he said, will put further pressure on the availability of spring barley seed. “Late-planted spring wheat could be considered for whole crop silage if a suitable client is available,” he added.

Tillage farmers were advised to review cropping plans based on ongoing assessment of likely cultivation opportunities and to consider subsequent workload and harvest impact.

“Consider crop margin and explore other cropping options, including contracted forage crops where possible, and secure a source of seed and fertiliser based on planned crops if not already in place.”