Timing oilseed rape desiccation and how the newly released fertiliser prices will affect next season’s nitrogen policy are on the agenda this week for our Crop Watch contributors.

AICC agronomist Patrick Stephenson says that as predicted, fertiliser prices start above £200/t. “The urea price looks very attractive and starts the debate on how effective it is.”

Looking at data on medium to heavy clay loams, urea is as good as ammonium nitrate. But on other soil types, he admits there may be some issues.

“Until 10 days ago there was little or no disease about and my spray programmes looked like a complete waste of money. But the change to more unsettled weather has allowed yellow rust and septoria strike back.”

Similarly, Frontier’s Brian Ross reports signs of yellow rust, with signs seen in Oakley, Gallant, Solstice, Viscount and Duxford. “But treatments have been effective.”

However, orange blossom midge did not feature highly on many farms in his area, particularly as most of the area is feed wheat and conditions were not favourable.

In the south, the unusually dry weather has meant that spring peas have not received a fungicide, reportsProCam’s Nick Brown. “I have also seen some pea aphids at a very low level so vigilance will be required over the coming days.

Winter linseed is a mixed bag. Some crops have been ripped up, some look poor and the odd crop looks stunning. This crop is still far too unreliable for widespread commercial planting. The key to success seems to be planting in early September with well consolidated seed-beds.

With milling wheat, there has been some debate concerning late nitrogen use since the rain allowed quite a lot of nitrogen uptake around ear emergence. Most of my customers have decided not to risk falling at the last hurdle and are still going to use a foliar product at the milky ripe stage.

In Shropshire, AIIC agronomist Bryce Rham has seen little sign of septoria moving much above leaf four at the moment, and no sign of yellow or brown rust.

“Winter rape is as green as grass at the moment and I cannot see us being able to start desiccation for at least two weeks. I will use glyphosate rather than diquat. ES Cubic is starting to turn and will be the first to desiccate.”

Potato crops are also suffering from the variable overnight temperatures with SAC’s John Sarup highlighted that crops were behind with a number failing to reach full canopy cover by the longest day.

One of his concerns at present is alternaria (early blight) which is just starting to show in one or two crops of Markies, other susceptible varieties include Saturna, Hermes, Maris Piper and Estima.

Click below to read the full reports:

Crop Watch north: Patrick Stephenson

Crop Watch south: Nick Brown

Crop Watch east: Brian Ross

Crop Watch west: Bryce Rham

Spud Special: John Sarup