The Tillage Edge

On this bonus episode of the Tillage Edge, we're bringing you our virtual crop walk from Oak Park focusing on winter barley.

Because of Covid-19, Teagasc's normal crop walk couldn't take place, but instead we were able to bring you an interactive version with crops specialist, Shay Phelan as well as John Hogan, Oak Park's Farm Manager to give us an idea of what the winter barley is looking like.

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

The Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

On the Teagasc Tillage Edge podcast this week, Michael Hennessy was joined by Deirdre Doyle, Technologist in Oak Park, Carlow who chatted about disease control in spring barley.  

Deirdre explained that crops were very clean at the moment, partly aided by the recent dry weather, and by reasonably good varietal resistance to fungal diseases. 

She pointed out that, despite the lack of disease at the moment, growers need to walk their crops before the application of the first fungicide.

Deirdre was involved in research which re-looked at fungicide timings in spring barley.  She described the key timings are at mid to late tillering for the first timing and awns emerged for the final fungicide.  She also noted that a mix of key actives (triazole plus strob/SDHI) at a 50% rate will be sufficient in most cases.  

As Chlorothalonil (Bravo) cannot be used after May 20th Deirdre explained there is no role for this fungicide in disease control this year either at the first or second fungicide timing in spring barley.  Growers can use Folpet at the final timing and the new chemistry Revysol will also be a useful addition. 

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

The Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

This week’s Teagasc Tillage Edge podcast is discussing weed control strategies in spring barley with Eoin Lyons, a Teagasc advisor working in the Teagasc/Boortmalt Joint programme

Eoin told presenter, Michael Hennessy, that although seedbeds and establishment were generally excellent crops are suffering from drought stress, especially in the eastern half of the country.  

He pointed out there weren’t a huge amount of weeds emerged in fields as yet.  He recommended waiting for the promised rain during this week to allow crops to recover from drought stress for a number of days and also to allow more weeds to emerge.

Eoin emphasised utilising an IPM approach to arrive at the most targeted herbicide to use in fields.  He was very keen to point out the best results are achieved by applying the herbicide to a small weed (1-2 pairs of true leaves) and where possible ensure three or four days of good growth both before and after the application of the herbicide. 

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

The Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

Tillage Specialist Ciaran Collins joins Michael Hennessy on this week’s Tillage Edge to discuss aphids and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus or BYDV.  

Ciaran outlined that all the spring cereals (wheat, barley and oats) are potentially at risk from BYDV infection and indicated that trial results has shown yield decreased of 2 tons per hectare due to BYDV.  

The best timing for control is at the 4 leaf stage, with crops emerging in early to mid-April at a moderate risk (depending on your location). 

Ciaran described the importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures such as assessing risk based on location and time of planting but he also stressed the importance of infield monitoring.  

Ciaran also touched on insecticide resistance in aphid populations.  KDR resistance is widespread but may vary from field to field.  He recommends crop inspection four to five days after application to monitor control and if live juvenile aphids are found there may be resistance in the field.  

However, he pointed out if the first application was completed correctly then a reapplication of an aphicide should not be completed as no further control will be achieved.  

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

The Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

This week’s guest on the Tillage Edge is Dr Steven Kildea, Researcher in Teagasc, to discuss disease control strategies in winter wheat.  

Stephen first discussed the effect of later planted crops and low disease levels following the recent very dry weather.  Steven pointed out there is still plenty of disease within crops and it’s the weather from now that will dictate how that disease develops.  

He recommends growers walk crops regularly, assessing plant growth stages and disease levels so that the main fungicides are applied at the correct timing.  It is especially important to get the first main fungicide applied at the third leaf fully emerged stage.

Steven explained how yellow rust can be a huge threat early in the season and growers need to move quickly if the disease enters a susceptible variety.  

Septoria control will change somewhat this year with the introduction of a new triazole called Revystar and the withdrawal of Chlorothalonil on May 20th.  Steven recommends, if Revystar is going to be used, then target its use at the flag leaf timing (in mid May) and use Chlorothalonil where it is available (but before May 20th)

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

The Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

On the first episode of Teagasc's Tillage Edge podcast, Michael Hennessy was joined by Dr. Richie Hackett to discuss nitrogen strategies in winter cereals and also malting barley.  Richie has a wealth of research expertise and is the main researcher in this area in Ireland.  

Winter crops took a battering last autumn from later than normal planting combined with constant wet soil conditions all the way to March this year.  Yield potential may have suffered however Richie is upbeat about most crops.  With good agronomic management and a kind season there is still good potential in most crops.

Richie explained where plant stands were good and where the tillers/shoots were retained good yield potential can be fulfilled.  For that reason Richie doesn’t recommend deviating too far from the normal amount of nitrogen applied to crops.  

He recommends where a crop’s potential isn’t great to reduce nitrogen input by 20 kg N/ha for each one ton/hectare lower yield than normal.  However he also recommended not to reduce overall rates by more than 40kg N/ha. 

For more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/

The Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.

The Tillage Edge, Teagasc's new tillage podcast, presented by Michael Hennessy, is coming soon.

During the Coivd-19 crisis we'll be bringing you weekly episodes covering agronomy needs of crops throughout the season with input from Teagasc researchers and views from across the industry.

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Tillage Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.