Progress

For those with their crops planted, the weather might be described as kind, with frequent rain keeping lumpy seedbeds moist to enable good establishment. Earlier-sown crops have emerged well from a slow start and seem to be covering the ground quite quickly. But coastal fog continued to prevent planting over the weekend along the southeast and south coasts.

With broken weather set to continue, you may have to sacrifice an excellent seedbed in favour of getting the job done. Ground still needs to be dry enough under the seedbed.

Winter crops appear to be driving on well and they are motoring through growth stages, but at an acceptable pace.

While flowering was initially very patchy in winter rape crops, most are now in full flower and podding appears to be progressing well. Sclerotinia protection should be considered where needed (eg Filan).

Spring crops: Crops sown in recent weeks have emerged well and are quickly pushing to the 2-3 leaf stage, which means tillering will be taking place. We must hope that growth continues at a nice and even pace, alongside plant development, as this will help grow stronger stems with a minimal risk of lodging.

The final nitrogen top dressing should be applied to all spring crops before stem extension – post emergence on malting barley. Avail of showers of rain to get N or other fertiliser washed in. Don’t forget sulphur where it is needed.

Complete any remaining planting as soon as possible, but seedbed conditions matter more as the season gets later. Establishment seems good so you are unlikely to benefit from higher seed rates. Watch out for leather-jackets as they seem to be in places where they would not be expected. Good rolling is your best deterrent.

If you are still sowing maize check on the availability of plastic before you order seed, because there are only a few variety options for planting in the open. And if you are to grow beet knowing the dry matter range of the variety will help you draw up an agreement with a buyer.

Winter crops

Barley is at various stages from flag-leaf emerging to awns appearing. This latter stage is the timing for the final fungicide. It is best to have awns out across the whole crop if you can afford to wait in terms of the interval since the last spray. The final fungicide should be a good rate of a triazole along with an SDHI or a strobilurin plus a contact fungicide (chlorothalonil or folpet) to help prevent ramularia.

Product options include Siltra, Bontima, Ceriax, Elatus Era, a Treoris triazole mix, or Fandango, plus chlorothalonil or Phoenix. Do not assume that an SDHI active can control ramularia.

Wheat varies from third last leaf emerging to flag leaf appearing on the very early crops. This means T1 timing for wheat. Product options include Cauldron, Adexar, Elatus Era etc or triazole mixes with straights like Intellis. All treatments should include chlorothalonil (Bravo).