Harvest progress: Harvesting was limited by rain in many areas ahead of last weekend, leaving pockets with a considerable proportion of the harvest remaining. But we must still be well into the last 20% as there are now some beans and spring wheat harvested in places.
It has been difficult to get fields cleared of straw and this is now slowing progress, especially for catch crop planting. But high temperatures this week may once again heat up the ground to get crops going once they get established.
Cultivate stubbles: All cleared stubbles should be cultivated to help grow out problem weeds. There is an increasing number of problem weeds, and herbicides are failing, so chemicals need a helping hand.
Quite a lot of stubbles have already been cultivated and these should be done again once there is a tinge of green visible. There is little point in allowing these weeds to grow and every reason to encourage even more seeds to germinate. However, cultivation needs good conditions.
Winter Rape: This week is very much the last opportunity to plant winter oilseed rape. Late planted crops need every help, which should include a hybrid variety and seedbed nitrogen. Consider up to 20 units depending on field history – this must be counted as part of the total.
Recent rain has improved conditions for residual herbicide application, such as Butisan S and Katamaran Turbo, or generic equivalents. Many crops are already post-crop emergence but weeds may have been slower to emerge. These products should not be applied during the emerging stage, as emerging seedlings can be damaged. Application post-emergence is OK providing weeds have not emerged.
Those not planting winter crops should cultivate stubbles to encourage regrowth of volunteers and all weed seeds. This is especially important for weeds like sterile brome, canary grass, wild oats, poppy, chickweed, etc. Once a weed germinates and is killed before planting, it is one less problem for the future. Cultivation needs to be shallow. One might consider planting some mustard, fodder rape or black oats to give better green cover for longer-term soil benefit. GLAS participants must comply with additional regulations when planting catch crops.
Planting dates: While early planting is useful to help counteract the problems of late planting, care is urged. Early planting is seen as the most favourable factor for spread of grass weeds, especially black grass, so delay planting in fields where this is known to be a problem. It is the same for many other grass weeds. Foliar and virus diseases are also a greater risk with early planting, so try to hold off until the third week in September for all crops.
Use of Redigo Deter dressing must be essential for aphid and BYDV control with early planting. This should provide up to six weeks’ control with early planting but a follow-up spray (or two) will still be needed.
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