Tillage Newsletter – October 2025

By Teagasc Crops

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In this month’s edition:

• Autumn planting
  With autumn drilling now underway, most tillage farmers will have made their decisions about which crops and how much of them to plant over the coming weeks.
  • Variety choice
    Winter barley was again in 2025 one of the poorer crops for growers, although some varieties performed well. At the Teagasc Crops Forum we were informed that there are no new varieties for recommendation in 2026.
  • Seed rates
    Soils are much drier this year thanks to the dry summer, so drilling conditions should be similar to last year. Seed quality also appears to be good, however, TGW will differ from batch to batch and this can have a significant effect on seeding rate.
• Autumn weed control
  Pre-emergence herbicides have been shown to be more effective in controlling many problem grass weeds, such as bromes, blackgrass and annual meadow grass.
• Winter oilseed rape
  Volunteer cereals and some grass weeds seem to be growing well at the moment and are competing with some crops.
• Health & Safety – Grant for PTO shaft covers
  Reminder – the National Farm Safety Measure 2025 provides a financial contribution for up to four PTO shaft covers. Closing date for claims is November 7. For further information talk to your advisor, or go to: www.gov.ie/farmsafety