Challenging finish: One more good week would have done a lot but, for many, it didn’t come. Now yield is being lost in fields and quality is deteriorating. While low prices hit everyone, additional yield and quality loss is leaving many growers highly frustrated and worried for their futures.

Tillage sense: This has been a challenging year for tillage farmers and, whether we like it or not, there is no promise of better for the year ahead. So common sense must prevail.

Already I hear of people offering fancy prices for rented land that cannot be justified. But I also hear of people who are walking away from land offers because they have had enough of paying everyone else while having nothing left for themselves.

Every farm should implement some change in the current circumstances. You must farm but do you have another crop that can offer better income potential?

Are you asking serious questions about every half acre? Ownership of entitlements is forcing many poor decisions, but they can be leased.

Taking land for more than the value of the entitlement and then losing money trying to grow a crop that is not wanted currently will have a predictable outcome.

Why are entitlement values being returned in full to the land owner? These subsidies were to help support producers, but growers have willingly given them away for the past decade in an attempt to generate scale.

Pests in rape: Some oilseed rape crops are being heavily attacked by slugs. Inspection is essential – treatment may be needed. Treat as early as damage is noticed, because damage can be permanent.

This will mean at least a half rate of the better methaldehyde formulations. A follow-up treatment may be necessary. Watch out for flea beetle damage, especially at the cotyledon stage. If you see signs of the shot-hole effect it may be safer to spray with a pyrethroid spray – monitor for efficiency.

Planting: Early planting is a significant factor in the increased cost of crop production. Early is not just calendar date. It is a combination of the likely level of growth prior to Christmas in combination with the likely risk of weed and disease problems. Early planting significantly increases these risks.

A one-week delay can significantly decrease weed pressure. This is increasingly important where sterile brome and blackgrass are present. Other fields could still be sown early.

Plant winter barley at around (or under) 300 seeds/m2. Early wheat should be planted at 180-200 seeds/m2 – around 125-140kg/ha (7-8st/ac) but adjust for seed size. The use of Redigo Deter seed dressing must be advised for early planting.