Autumn growth: Stubble regrowth is very evident in most stubble fields. While green cover is required for nitrates, big crops of volunteers bring disease risks to both winter and spring crops. While you cannot kill this fleece of vegetation now, as there may not be enough time to establish another natural regeneration, it would be useful if the volume of cover was decreased by topping. The more leaf is present, the more foliar and virus disease it can carry.

Planting: Drilling continues. Some land may well benefit from the recent rain while other land is being pushed closer to the edge of workability. But there are a lot of crops sown in good soil conditions at this point which have had rapid establishment and good growth. It would be useful for early-sown crops if growth slowed considerably at this point and this now seems likely.

As we move to mid-October, it is a safer time to plant spring oat varieties. There is still time to plant winter barley, but one should be very careful with imported seed as it can carry the risk of black-grass contamination.

As soil temperatures decrease, the need for higher seed rates increases. Seedbed conditions remain good, but there is now greater care needed if rolling is being considered. Finish planting winter barley first and then move to oats. If practical, delay planting high take-all risk wheat until closer to the end of the month.

Drill winter barley at up to 350 seeds/m2 or 160-190 kg/ha (10-12 st/ac), depending on seed size and conditions; winter wheat at up to 250 seeds/m2 or around 125-140kg/ha (8-9st/ac); and winter oats at over 300 seeds/m2 or 125-145kg/ha (8.0-9.5st/ac). Higher seed rates should not be expected to substitute for poor seedbeds.

For those intending to use high N manures like pig slurry or chicken litter, the latest date for application is 14 October. It is safer to use these organic fertilizers with later planted cereals.

Spraying: Aphids and BYDV are a concern in early emerged crops not treated with Redigo Deter. These crops should be sprayed with a contact insecticide around the two- to three-leaf stage and again about three weeks later, to help prevent BYDV infection. Herbicide could be used with either the first or second insecticide. This might be based on Alister or Flight or on DFF or Defy in combination with IPU.

Bayer have indicated that the cover provided by Redigo Deter is heavily influenced by the seed rate in combination with the sowing date. With mid-September drilling at 100kg/ha, an aphicide should be considered in less than eight weeks. But with late September drilling at 150kg/ha, Redigo Deter is said to give protection for over 10 weeks.

Maize harvesting: Many crops are now at the point of maturity for harvesting. Decide on the basis of the dryness of the grains in the cob and the amount of liquid that comes from crushed stems.