It is still very wet underfoot as I write this and the last two early mornings we had frost on the ground. So, although we have had some warm days cold nights are giving quite a diurnal range, which is not ideal for growth, Having said that, crops are greening up even though fertiliser, in [...]
The beginning and end of February are very different beasts, with day length growing and the possibility of field work looming. The telephone having hibernated for the winter starts its spring chirping as first top dressing starts to be organised and Nutrient Management Plans are finalised. The total impact of the winter weather is still [...]
The recent spell of wet weather has brought activity out in the field to a complete standstill and soils are as wet now as at any time since drilling last autumn. I have temporarily abandoned the quad, but trying to walk round heavy land at the moment with wellies with 10kg of mud stuck on [...]
After a false start in early February, we are eagerly awaiting a drier spell to continue with fertiliser applications and spraying. Backward oilseed rape crops – those not treated during the dry spell – barley and late wheats are in need of their first dose of nitrogen and sulphur. While walking fields, it is clear that all [...]
Early-sown wheats and those on fertile soils have started to wake up and they must be picking up nitrogen from somewhere as they are all a healthy green colour. The warmer conditions following a cold December have stimulated a flush of broad-leaved weeds, nothing too serious, but I haven’t seen any spring-germinated blackgrass yet. Second wheats and [...]
Crops have generally fared very well through what has been another hard winter. Our lowest recorded temperature was -17C. The main difference from last year was that the crops were afforded some level of protection this year by a blanket of snow Oilseed rape canopies are variable depending on drilling dates and the level of [...]
Despite the harsh winter, crops in my area are looking positively healthy and almost like they are growing. For a number of crops, I managed to get an autumn application of manganese on and this is really showing now in terms of crop health. Over the last two seasons, we have seen exceptionally dry springs. So I am advising growers [...]
After many winter technical meetings it is good to be out in the fields again. Most cereal and oilseed rape crops are looking healthy. The propyzamide and carbetamide chemistry appears to be working well on the grassweeds in oilseed rape crops and all product timings are showing signs of activity. The mid-November applications are looking [...]