Stubbles
It has been difficult to get stubbles cultivated to encourage weed growth and now time is running out as either catch crops or winter crops need to be planted shortly.
The catch crop deadline is extended to 30 September but it really needs to be planted as soon as possible.
Simple cheaper mixes with things like fodder rape, oats etc may be more suitable for later planting.
But take care at emergence that slugs or other pests are not taking your crop.
Rape
Slugs are a problem in some crops so watch out for this problem. Slug pellets may be required. But they may not be required across whole fields.
Be sure of what is causing damage as rabbits can clear off emerging rape plants also. Keep an eye on all crops for signs of cabbage flea beetle activity (speckling on the cotyledons).
It is now quite late for planting winter rape and we are gone past the fertiliser deadline so anyone still considering planting should opt for a hybrid variety and try and get some high-N organic manure into the seedbed before planting.
But that may be unlikely at this point.
Read more
Tillage management notes: harvest lingers
Tillage management notes: planting begins
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