Flag leaves are coming out and are out already on some winter barley. Early-sown crops of certain varieties are pushing on.

Orcade is one of the early varieties showing its flag leaf across the country, while other varieties are not far behind.

Some crops are coming up to GS37, while more are heading for GS39 and there are plenty of crops that are behind this timeline.

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It’s important to get growth regulator out on to crops that still need it, while disease control needs to be kept an eye on.

Timings may differ as crops move on. It’s hard to believe the flag leaf is emerging on crops while tramlines are filled with water.

For growth regulation at this stage, Terpal is best applied when the flag leaf is emerging (GS37) - easier said than done in between the showers.

Other products such as Medax Max and Moddus should really have been used by this stage. Moddus-type products can be applied from GS30, but rate needs to be upped after GS33 and probably works best before or at GS37.

Fungicides

Those on two-spray barley programmes would ideally have their first fungicide on crops already, but there are crops out there that haven’t been treated and should receive a fungicide to get disease under control or at bay until the main application.

This year is a difficult one to navigate, some crops were treated very early and some late. Those treated late are most likely on a two-spray programme, while those treated early might need their middle spray now or may have already received it.

Apply a mix, but take into account your next application. Spend doesn’t need to be massive if the flag leaf is emerging.

Can you hold out until the final spray? This might not be possible, but measure up your timings, the disease pressure and estimated distance to awns emerging.

The middle spray would be something like a mix of triazoles and strobilurins, Elatus Era or Delaro Forte. Just balance protection, length to next spray and disease levels.

If crops are under stress, check for nutrient deficiencies and consider anti-stress products such as seaweed. With all the bad weather, cold nights and delayed management, stress is an issue in many crops, so ramularia is a big risk.

Final sprays will likely be something such as Macfare (Ascra) or Revysol, along with Folpet and possibly some nutrition or seaweed for stress. Folpet will be essential at the proper rate and time for ramularia.