Planting continued over the past week despite heavy rain across the southeast of the country, in particular.

But even where the heaviest rain fell, drills were back out early this week, thanks to some unseasonably good weather. We may now be pushing close to 50% of last year’s crop area.

Progress remains variable though. The greatest progress continues to be made across parts of the southern half of the country but there has also been good progress in parts of the north too.

It is not possible to know exactly how much has been planted as much of the information available relates to seed taken from merchants.

Some of this was returned last week and taken out again this week, while there may also be more seed that could yet be returned.

Overall progress

Based on these numbers, it is possible that up to 80% or 90% of the area in south Tipperary and Kilkenny has now been drilled to a combination of all cereals. Overall progress has been lower in Cork where 70% is thought to be tops currently. The main emphasis there, to date, has been on winter barley. This proportion might also apply to some growers in the extreme north but potato harvesting has slowed planting for others.

Carlow and Kildare may be next with an estimated 50% to 60% of winter planting completed. Parts of Louth might also be up around this level but other areas on heavier ground could be less than half that.

Wexford is put at around 40% drilled, Dublin around 30% and Meath at only 20%. In these counties, the heavier land most affected by the wet tends to be used for winter cereals.