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welcomeTo the new look Trust In Tillage, Dairygold’sagronomy bulletin. My name is Scott Lovell,Technical Manager with Dairygold Agribusinessand editor of Trust in Tillage.In this edition, we begin with a new feature broughtto you by local Dairygold advisors. In this issue, LiamLeahy (local Dairygold advisor based in Ballinacurra)reflects on the carry over effects from 2012 and givesus an update on crops in East Cork. In future editions,we will bring you features from other members of ourteam.This edition’s feature article, from the front cover,focuses on Spring Beans. We explore the economicsof the crop and give you an overview of the crop’sagronomy. In other articles we focus on cereals,explaining how to match your choice of cerealfertilizer compound to your crop needs and look atthe availability and characteristics of spring cerealvarieties. We also have our regular, crop watch sectionwhere we bring you updates on individual current cropperformance and advice on upcoming tasks.contentsOVERVIEW OF CURRENT STATUS 3CROP WATCH 5CEREAL FERTILISERCOMPOUND CHOICE 10FOCUS ON SPRING BEANS 15SPRING CEREALVARIETY NOTES 21OUR TEAM 24Remember your locally based, Dairygold i.A.S.I.S. Cropadvisor (see page 24) is available for more detailedsupport and advice to help you deliver the best returnfrom your crops.Look out for the 2013 second edition of Trust in Tillagein April. If you have any feedback on this edition orif there is any area you would like to cover in futureeditions, I would be delighted to hear from you (emailaddress slovell@dairygold.ie).Scott Lovell M.agr.sc. I.a.s.i.s.Technical Manager, Dairygold Agribusiness2
Overview ofOVERVIEWCurrentStatuslessons from 2012While the dreadful 2012 has now left us,there are problems left behind that won’tgo away overnight (or over the next few yearsin many cases). Even the dry, free draining soilsof East Cork are now feeling the pressures ofthe prolonged wet weather; with some soils in avery damaged and saturated state that may takeseveral years to repair.While there is not much that can be done atthis stage to such land; we have to consider thebest way of addressing the spring field work.Sub-soiling is an option, but only if the groundis (reasonably) dry and will fracture from thesub-soiler legs being pulled at depth below thelayer of compaction by significant tractor horsepower;otherwise you may only be compoundingthe problem and driving the compaction deeperinto the soil. Other soils may be repaired, to alarge degree, with deep ploughing provided thecompaction isn’t too deep for the plough.Other actions that will help alleviate thecompaction issues are ensuring that lime levelsare correct and kick-starting the regenerationprocess with the addition of some organic matter.In any case, most soils need time to soak beforeany field work is considered and only then canthe repairing process begin. We must also takestock of the lessons learnt over the last year by:• Reducing the number of passes of heavymachines over the landLiam Leahy is the Area Sales Manager and localI.A.S.I.S. qualified crop advisor for DairygoldAgribusiness based in Ballinacurra, East Cork.• Keeping heavy grain and root crop trailersconfined to headlands and farm roadways• Getting the soil fertility right to maximize croproot development and microbial & earth wormactivity• Considering introducing break crops such asoilseed rape and beans in the crop rotation, asthey will grow deep into the soil and help breakit open inducing better soil drainage.When we look after the soil, the soil will lookafter us.Crop UpdateWinter Oilseed Rape, which is approximately 50%of the 2011-2012 acres, is a very mixed bag inEast Cork this year. Early sown crops establishedwell, have been heavily grazed by pigeons andslugs over the winter but still have significantyield potential. Later sown crops are in a moreprecarious state, especially those planted withthe “No Till System” and many will need to bere-sown due to very low number and/or poorlydeveloped plants. This is a decision that needsto be taken now, and where required replantingwith Spring Oilseed Rape or another springcrop, ensuring to check any residual risk fromthe herbicide used in the winter crop. For cropsthat are being left in, some early Nitrogen shouldbe considered and every effort made to controlpigeons while the plant is regenerating itself. It isestimated that 20% of the crop may need to be3
Page 1: www.agritrading.ie/TillageIssue 1.
Page 5 and 6: CROPTASKSWatchWinter WheatCrops are
Page 7 and 8: Winter OatsWinter Oats in most case
Page 9 and 10: Tables 1-3 below give suggested see
Page 11 and 12: Cereal Crop Nutrient Requirements a
Page 13: Phosphorus• Remember an extra 3.8
Page 16 and 17: Costs and Returns for Spring Beans
Page 18 and 19: N P and K requirements for Spring B
Page 21 and 22: NOTESSpring CerealVariety NotesSPRI
Page 23 and 24: OATSOat seed is limited, so book fa

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