South: Dry seedbeds mean slow progress for wheat

Wheat was drilled deep into very dry seed-beds which has resulted in very slow germination. There has been no opportunity for a stale seedbed and grassweed pressure is very high.

Most fields have had a pre-emergence herbicide for grassweed control but due to very dry and warm soils, good control has been difficult.

Now soil conditions are warm and moist so Atlantis (mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron) and adjuvant, Biopower are being recommended. Slug levels are lower than last year but still need close monitoring.

The majority of oilseed rape crops are now looking stronger at four to six true leaves. Slug attack has remained low and nitrogen has been applied to seed-beds which has helped growth. Leaf minor can still be found on older leaves of early-drilled rape, but newer leaves and later drilled crops are fine. Because of the very dry weather Phoma has been difficult to find. But pressure is starting to increase and close monitoring is advised. Flushes of difficult blackgrass will need to be addressed soon when soils become wetter and cooler. Pigeons are present in other crops but yet to be a problem in rape.

Like the wheat, barley has been slow to emerge. With fewer actives available, grassweed control in barley is extremely difficult. The most reliable approach is to use pre-emergence or early post-emergence applications. This job must take priority as contact grassweed products are very limited.