As this is being written 10mm of rain has occurred! Not a staggering amount, but with more promised during the week, there is a sigh of relief. Admittedly a lot more is needed to catch up, but it’s ideal for the nitrogen that has been applied and very helpful for the spring crops that have been drilled so far.

Crops in general have greened up significantly in the last 10 days or so with the warm conditions that have prevailed and shows fertiliser uptake is occuring, or has occured. The soil mineral nitrogen core results that I have seen so far show low levels in the soil, therefore careful planning is needed particularly where crops look “big”.

Winter wheat growth stages vary from late GS 24 to early GS 30 with reports of T0’s going on, some with Atlantis (iodosulfuron+mesosulfuron). Care is definitely needed where anything is added to Atlantis type products, even if they appear on the tank mix list. With ever increasing resistance issues to this chemistry we need as much efficiency from the product as possible. Blackgrass in many fields are still blue/red and flat to the ground, so are not growing as actively as they could. Warm and now moist, good growing conditions with no tank mixes should ensure the best out of the product.

Septoria is quite easy to find, but yellow rust has been calmed by the extremely cold spell but is still very much an issue. The T0 sprays soon to be applied must reflect this. Mildew is also beginning to show up again especially in oats.

Light leaf spot in oilseed rape has been reported in this region, although not as much as other areas. If it is seen the advice from independent scientists is to get it treated sooner rather than later. Buds appearing above the crop mean that it won’t be long before pollen beetles will be of concern. Increasing pyrethroid resistance, particularly in the Eastern region, means that choice and correct timing of treatments will be of paramount importance.