Ian Bird's T2 fungicide treatments at Catchgate Farm, Castle Eden near Hartlepool have just been completed on time, despite 64mm (2.5in) of rain in the past week. But the cold wet April has taken a toll on potential yields, he believes.
"Our first wheats look OK, but the second crops are a bit thin."
Winter barley, which received the same T2 treatment - "a nice and simple" 1litre/ha each of Gemstone (epoxiconazole + pyraclostrobin) plus Laminator (mancozeb) appears more promising, especially the hybrid Bronx (see picture), reports Mr Bird.
Bronx barley has come on well since this picture was taken at the end of January.
His oilseed rape varieties Excalibur and Ovation, both still in full flower and having had a sclerotinia spray only a week ago, are due for a late N dressing in about a week's time. "It'll be the first time we've done it and we'll use about 35 units/acre.
"There are 220 acres in all, but about 60 look a bit poor. It never really got away in the autumn and simply hasn't caught up."
Given his experience of the coastal area's weather, T3 wheat fungicide treatments are routine. "We'll definitely be using them. We shan't cut any wheat until the third week in August and that's a long way off."
After earlier rocketing grain prices the recent slip back has been especially unwelcome, says Mr Bird. "I can't sell at £130/t when potash is £520. All the big price rises do is create cash flow problems. We'd be better off with wheat at £100/t and without the diesel and fertiliser price increases."