CROP CRACK -  9.2.08
By WENDY FEARON
Clarendon Agricare -Poor Ground Conditions Continue

The horrendous weather throughout January and early February is now beginning to take its toll on winter cereal crops. Many crops are now beginning to show signs of stress. Any crops which have not yet received P&K should be treated where possible. As fertilizer prices have increased again it is critical to apply in suitable conditions to achieve optimum uptake.

Slurry will also have to be better utilized to achieve greater efficacy to all aspects of farming not just the cereal farmer. Slurry may now be applied as the ban ended on 31st Jan.

The intended acreage for spring barley this year is dramatically up on 2007.Many growers are concerned that this may have a knock on effect on the price of grain, but currently we rely on over 50% of imported ingredients to service our livestock sector. Fortunately grain prices across the board have increased and look set to remain this way into the 2008 season, but if the Euro continues strong against the pound who knows what drawbacks it may have for Northern Ireland.

Land intended for spring cereals should be sprayed off with glyphosate as soon as ground conditions allow. Monsanto have changed the name of Roundup Gold this season to Roundup Energy. The main difference between the two products is the salt formulation. The ammonium salt in Roundup Gold has now been replaced with potassium salt in Roundup energy giving an even quicker turn around.

There has not been a lot of talk to date about leatherjacket numbers but if conditions such as we are experiencing at present persist, they can move freely through the ground so it is important to monitor them. The most economic returns are obtained from early treatment of fields with Dursban before visible damage appears. Highest risk situations are fields coming out of long term ley or stubble fields with good grass cover.