Most crops look well and have received some early nitrogen.  Weather conditions are now suitable for applications of Atlantis (iodosulfuron + mesosulfuron) or Broadway Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam) to winter wheat.  The cold winter has sparked a huge flush of spring germinating wild oats. These wild oats are only just emerging so there is plenty more time for some more to emerge before controlling. 

Levels of wheat bulb fly deadhearts are much higher than usual, even where earlier egg hatch applications of chlorpyrifos were made. The only option available is to apply some dimethoate to limit any further damage.

It will soon be time to consider T0 fungicides on the earliest wheats before long on Septoria tritici or yellow rust susceptible varieties, such as Oakley and Solstice. This fungicide can often be coincided with any plant growth regulator that is required and will consist of a triazole with chlorothalonil. 

Oilseed rape crops look well, especially those not attacked by pigeons. Light leaf spot has been increasingly common and has been treated with a fungicide where required. The cut-off to apply broadleaved weed herbicides containing clopyralid or clopyralid and picloram, which is before flowers buds visible above the crop canopy, is fast approaching, This deadline always creeps up quickly, so be prepared to apply these herbicides sooner rather than later if you need to control thistles, mayweed and cleavers.

Spring barley drilling is well underway now with generally good seed-beds being created.  Failed winter oat and bean crops are being redrilled with spring oats, oilseed rape or beans.  For spring beans, the pre-emergence herbicide forms the cornerstone to broadleaved weed control, with only bentazone available post-emergence. It also provides an opportunity to apply some residual herbicide for grass weed control.