August 2009 Archives

In the middle of last week we had about 8mm of very welcome rain. The ground is now damp, and with the air temperature averaging 12C crops are growing rapidly.

Grassweed control is now complete and Atlantis (iodosulfuron + mesosulfuron) applied three weeks ago is working well.

Early drilled wheats are at GS29 and have been treated with a T0 fungicide plus a reduced rate PGR. Where required, a dose of trace elements has been included.

Traces of Septoria tritici are visible on new growth in Humber, Oakley and Solstice. All three varieties were severely affected by septoria in late June last year and I can clearly remember that towards the end of the month there was sudden senescence in most of the leaves.

Extremely dry conditions in the south-east during the second half of August have led to oilseed rape establishment difficulties.

Direct-drilled and Autocast crops that went into early into moisture have reached the expanded cotyledon stage and are growing away well. Slug damage is minimal though vigilance and baiting are recommended. Cabbage stem flea beetle damage is at low levels.

Crops drilled recently into drier seed-beds are more variable and in some cases sowing is being held back until rain arrives. This is delaying applications of residual herbicides until the crop has reached its first true leaf.

With record wheat yields last year the most popular varieties seem to be Cordiale and Solstice, although we're still searching for the ideal variety to fulfil the south-east's Group 3 demand.