Watch mildew, rusts and aphids post final sprays

Good flowering weather: Dry, warm, sunny weather during flowering is very important in crop production, especially for wheat. Warm, sunny weather speeds up flowering to shorten the potential ear blight infection period and good drying conditions seem likely to reduce infection pressure. When both combine, the ear blight threat should be minimised.

Aphids are prominent in many crops and are beginning to appear on the ears of wheat. So keep an eye on crops and watch for a multiplication of numbers. Ladybirds and other predators may keep the problem at bay. An increase in temperatures will increase aphid multiplication rates.

Crows: The threat from crows increases as silage cutting eases and the ground begins to harden. So take the necessary precautions in higher-risk areas: along by fences and gates, under electricity cables, tramline ins and outs and lodged spots. It is easier to keep them out, than to move them out.

Preventative measures include: thread, tape, kites and balloons. Bangers will also feature, but it helps if they are accompanied occasionally by lead. Hopefully, there will be no lodging and this would significantly reduce the risk of attack.

Final sprays: All winter wheat should have received final T3 fungicides at this stage, as flowering is close to complete in most crops. Final sprays are somewhat early this year, but let’s hope for a long grain fill period to help pack grains.

Some spring barley crops have already received their T2 fungicide as the early crops are now flowering and many later-sown crops have awns beginning to appear. Fungicides might need to be accompanied by aphicides in some crops and Aphox is the only systemic that can be used on barley. Some fields may need to be topped up with trace elements, given the big canopy growth that has already taken place.

Rhyncho has been the main disease threat up to now, but drier conditions and warmer temperatures could result in a resurgence of brown rust and/or mildew.

Get final sprays on once ears are emerging. These should include triazole, SDHI or strobilurin, plus a contact for ramularia. Product options include Bontima, Cauldron, Ceriax, Fandango, Siltra, and triazole combinations with products like Treoris, or the range of strobilurins in the market. All treatments should include a contact fungicide.

Spring wheat: Many crops are at flag leaf emerged and so need fungicide if no treatment was applied before now. Once flag leaves emerge, treat with an SDHI combination like Seguris, Adexar, Aviator, Venture Extra (plus Bravo or Phoenix) or a Treoris triazole mix. Watch for rust and mildew.

Spring oats: Target final sprays on spring oats once heads are out. This will be a triazole plus strobilurin and perhaps a morpholine on some crops for mildew. Crown rust remains a real threat also. Where there is no mildew, epoxiconazole or Folicur at 0.7 litres/ha, plus half rate Modem or Amistar will suffice. If mildew or crown rust is present, Amistar Pro or Jenton can provide the morpholine to add to the triazole.