Rain was welcome: All tillage farmers welcomed the recent rain but for some it was very little. Met Éireann records indicate that May rainfall levels vary from 68mm at Roches Point in Cork to 8.3mm in the Phoenix Park. The eastern midlands remain driest, but crop potential has already been hit. Many winter crops are very short, suggesting a possible scarcity of straw, but growing conditions have been much better across the south.

Many spring crops look even more thirsty. Dryness has stunted growth and many crops do not have the volume of lush foliage that we associate with high yields. Trace element deficiency is common, and crops in dry areas are pale, relatively thin, and not very impressive or encouraging. But crops that got ongoing rain look very promising.

Winter cereals: Crops have generally remained quite clean in the absence of rain. Decisions to go light on fungicide may work out, but the risk is always there. Watch barley crops for brown rust infection, which can sneak in late in the season. Oats should be finished now too.

Wheat crops are generally between flag leaf fully emerged and earing out. Crops suffering drought have moved quickly from flag leaf to earing out and they stayed short to conserve resources for grain fill. Given that the T3 or flowering spray has questionable yield benefit, it should be really questioned this year unless there is yellow rust infection. If the weather continues dry through flowering, the risk from ear blight should be low.

However, a T3 fungicide containing a strobilurin may help prolong green leaf retention and grain fill. This might be very useful in thin crops that have big grain number per ear. Hot years bring faster grain fill in wheat and earlier harvests.

A T3 fungicide would be Prosaro or Magnello, possibly with a strobilurin to help reduce crop stress. Hold application until later in flowering.

Spring crops: Spring barley crops range from late tillering to flag leaf peeping. Wheat and oats are mainly at GS32 to close to flag leaf emerging. Fungicide decisions on good crops that show potential will be two sprays. The level of spend will depend on disease pressure and crop potential. Many growers have already applied lots of trace elements to keep crops going. Growth regulators – CCC or Modus/Medax Max mixes – have been applied to wheat and oats.

First fungicides in barley are generally applied, with the second targeting awns emerging. T2 options should include a triazole with either a strobilurin or an SDHI active like Siltra, Ceriax, Zephyr, Bontima, Elatus Era, Vareon, Revystar, Lentyma, Skyway etc. Straights might also be used in sensible mixes. Add folpet at 1.5 l/ha with the final fungicide.

With wheat and oats, consider holding the first fungicide until GS39 unless there is disease like rust present. This means only two fungicides with the T2 post heading. Straight triazoles might be used at GS39 unless there is active rust or mildew, which would mean adding a morpholine with your other sprays.