Rain and high winds have stopped nearly all field work though I do have a customer that managed to drill a field of wheat this week. So there are plenty of spraying jobs to be done once the weather calms down.
Blackgrass is developing rapidly and in wheat Atlantis seems now to be the only option, to be sprayed at the first opportunity. While temperatures stay high it should work well. An aphicide will be mixed in as BYDV is a serious risk in the mild weather.
Meadowgrass in both wheat and barley is awaiting treatment, mostly with chlortoluron mixtures. As time goes by without spraying, the rate of CTU will have to be increased to cope with bigger weeds. In wheat, at least we have the option of using Othello if it proves impossible to apply residuals.
Winter barley is very lush and there is risk of crop scorch from spraying herbicides, especially in mix with aphicides. Take care if frost is forecast and allow the crop to harden-off first.
Blackgrass is also a problem in oilseed rape. We have only until the end of November to use Aramo but we do now have sufficient soil moisture for Kerb applications. Dense crops will cause difficulties with this as the chemical needs to land on the soil, so it may be necessary to wait for frost and some leaf die-back before spraying.
There is very little phoma evident in rape but a fungicide will be included with any herbicide, particularly in thicker crops where growth regulation is needed.
We have some huge pigeon flocks in the region which must pose a risk to the more backward fields of rape.
Mildew can be found in winter barley but except where it is very
backward and on lighter soils it probably is not worth treating.
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