Winter Barley
Across the northeast of Ireland, Winter Barley crops are progressing well where they survived the extremely wet winter. Plenty of bare patches in fields but the crops that emerged well are looking very promising. The dry spell of weather since the middle of April has allowed for timely applications of Nitrogen, Growth regulation treatments and T1 applications to give the crop every chance to hit its yield potential. Crops are now at key growth stages as many crops have awns emerging from them, (GS 49).
As some crops are at the stage of their T2 fungicide treatment, it is crucial to monitor for signs of diseases like ramularia, rhynchosporium and net blotch. With an unsettled spell of weather approaching, this may make favourable conditions for disease to develop on a crop with the constant wetting and drying of the plants leaf. Ensure your crop is protected with the best chemistry possible to help achieve its maximum yield.
After a moderately dry spell of weather, the forecast is set to look unsettled for the next 10 days, with localised, isolated showers and rainfall amounts staying slightly below average for the time of year. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than average too. Ensure to check the weather forecast if you are applying your T2 treatment as it is important the spray gets a chance to dry on the leaf following this application.
Winter Wheat
Winter Wheat crops in northeast Ireland are progressing well, with many fields having received their T0 fungicide applications mid-April. The T1 application has now been applied in all crops as of the first week of May as leaf three was fully emerged. This timing is crucial for effective septoria control, as protecting leaf three helps build a safe bridge for the upper canopy. There is a lot of septoria visible on lower leaves in crops this year and it is vital to check up on your crops in the coming weeks as unsettled weather will try to encourage septoria to move up through the plant.
Looking ahead over the next few days, the T2 application should be planned for approximately 15–20 days after T1, targeting the flag leaf stage. This is the most critical fungicide timing for yield protection so it is important to keep an eye on the growth stage of your crop so this fungicide treatment can be applied as soon as the flag leaf is fully emerged. Products containing fenpicoxamid or fluopyram have shown excellent efficacy against septoria and are worth considering, especially in high disease pressure situations.
Weather temperatures are cooler than average for this time of year so the flag leaf is developing at a steady pace. Any increase in overall temperature will increase this growth rate significantly. However, these unsettled weather conditions can also promote disease, so regular field monitoring is essential. Ensure that all fungicide applications are made at the correct timings to ensure the best results against disease. Consult with your local Drummonds agronomist.
Winter Oats
Due to a combination of cool temperatures and steady soil moisture in recent weeks, Winter Oats are progressing steadily in the northeast of Ireland. Most crops have already been treated with T1 and T2 fungicides, which have been essential in preventing early-season diseases like crown rust and mildew.
At this stage, the crop is moving through key growth stages with canopy development visible in many fields. The next adequate application will be the T2 application, expected to take place within the next 30 days, ideally around booting. T2 is the most important fungicide timing in oats, as it protects the upper canopy and ensures maximum grain fill and yield potential.
Disease pressure should continue to be closely monitored, especially for crown rust, which tends to appear quickly in warm, humid conditions. Where symptoms are already present or where there’s a history of rust, growers should consider a T2 mix that includes triazoles combined with strobilurins or SDHIs, depending on the disease risk and previous applications.
Nutrient management also remains important. Keep an eye on trace elements such as manganese and potassium, as deficiencies can still emerge and compromise crop health.
With strong forward potential and the weather cooperating so far, attention to detail at T2 will help ensure that Winter Oats in the region deliver both in terms of quality and yield this season.
Spring Barley
Spring barley crops sown mainly in April due to the wet spring across the north-east of Ireland are now emerging. Some crops have emerged evenly, predominately due to the seedbed holding some moisture as it didn’t dry out too quickly after ploughing/tilling. However, other crops in dry conditions came up uneven but will level off with recent rainfall. Most fields are currently at the early tillering stage (GS 12–23).
As the crop develops, it is vital that it receives an aphicide at the 3 leaf stage (GS 13) along with trace elements. There are plenty of aphids in all crops this year and by the time you see them in the crop they will have some damage done. Timely herbicide applications are a priority in problem weed fields over the next 7–10 days to manage early weed competition, particularly chickweed, fumitory, and volunteer cereals. A popular herbicide option at this stage includes fluroxypyr-based products or SU which offer broad-spectrum control. Always tailor herbicide choice to field weed pressure and be mindful of crop safety and growth stage.
Alongside herbicide treatment, growers should begin planning the T1 fungicide strategy. The first fungicide spray typically coincides with the mid-tillering to early stem extension stage. Given the growing season to date, BYDV and net blotch are concerns to watch for. A mix of prothioconazole with a strobilurin or SDHI provides excellent early disease control, especially in high-risk or continuous Barley sites.
Monitoring for nutrient deficiencies, particularly manganese and zinc, is also important at this stage, especially on lighter soils. Identifying these deficiencies early on can allow you to add the nutrients to the trace elements application. The crop should also have most/all of its nitrogen applied to help produce as many healthy tillers as possible in the crop.
With good crop emergence and favourable early conditions, the focus now is on maintaining crop health and competitiveness. Attention to early spray timings will be crucial in setting up strong yield potential for the months ahead. For further advice on all crop management follow up with your local Drummonds agronomist.
