Return to field work: The recent dry spell had many farmers out on land either ploughing, spraying, planting or spreading. Some land has been slow to dry and there are still very many stubbles around with nothing done to them. Land that has been helped through the addition of organic matter in recent years is easier to manage and is providing wider windows of opportunity to get work done.

Most growers have managed to get some planting or other work done over the past 10 days or so. Reports of lack of seed availability are worrying as planting opportunities are still limited.

Planting: The first big decision is whether or not to plant that acre/field. Once you bring out a machine you start spending money. Some livestock farmers have expressed interest in getting access to catch crops for the backend – this might be a better use of land than growing feed barley. Fallow is technically a crop, like temporary grass, for the three-crop rule, but you can have up to 100% fallow.

Do not compromise on planting conditions. Many fields are dry on top but still quite damp down at four to eight inches. Avoid travelling on this as it will tighten underneath to reduce water infiltration and your crop could suffer if you get heavy rain post planting.

Replanting patches damaged by winter wet or flooding has become more complex. Patches have to be marked as separate temporary parcels, stating area and new crop. This could have implications for your crop diversity.

Seed plus fertiliser drills have become more common and placed fertiliser should be regarded as essential on low soil fertility land. Placed fertiliser provides more yield, even from less product – an essential combination, given the poor market prospects. But get base fertiliser incorporated into the seedbed at the very least.

Try and roll land post sowing but only where conditions are suitable. Minimise turning on headlands that have already had a lot of traffic. Try and roll across hills.

The priority now is to get remaining beans, spring wheat and spring oats planted. Plant beans at around 35 seeds/m2 – 175 to 210kg/ha (11-13 st/ac) with seed at 450g to 550g TGW. Plant spring wheat at 300-350 seeds/m2 or 150-180 kg/ha (10-12 st/ac) (45-50g TGW). Target oats at about 350-400 seeds/m2 – 125-150 kg/ha for 35g seed (8-9 st/ac). Drill malting barley at 325-350 seeds/m2 – 145-160 kg/ha (9.5-10 st/ac) for 45g TGW seed – some seed in much bigger this year.

Winter crops: Most are showing signs of growth and picking up in colour. Forward crops are moving into stem extension, so growth regulator might be considered soon – some is already applied. Forward crops may soon need their main stem extension nitrogen application also. And there is an amount of overdue herbicide and insecticide application where sprays could not be applied in the autumn. Rape crops will soon need their final nitrogen.