The continued dry spell is taking its toll on crops. Winter wheat flag leaves are emerging as crops develop rapidly through their growth stages. All crops need now is a good splash of rain.

See also: Cereals 2025 host Andrew Ward reflects on farming changes

South

Neil Harper, Agrii (Kent)

A crystal ball at this time of year is everyone’s dream. If we could predict the rainfall for the next eight weeks decisions would be easy.

Instead, we are having conversations about what needs to be done to look after crops sensibly, considering the yield potential and grain prices.

Approximately 50-70% of wheat crops have received their T2 fungicide application.

There is some mildew and yellow rust lower in the canopy, and septoria seems to have got no higher than leaf four.

Colder nights at the start of the month have kept brown rust at bay, but we expect it to be a greater issue in susceptible varieties with the warm weather.

T2 choices

There have been big decisions about whether to stick with our planned T2 fungicides or scale back.

With eight weeks growing still to do and good yield potential, especially the earlier drilled crops on heavier land, it’s not an easy decision.

We typically base our T2 around mefentrifluconazole, which provides flexibility to add a strobilurin and SDHI depending on the disease pressure.

Grassweeds are starting to show above wheat crops. Generally, we are pleased with control, but there will be some rogueing and knapsack patch spraying happening over the coming weeks.

An additional concern from grassweeds is ergot, particularly if wheat crops flower at the same time as blackgrass.

We will have to consider this at harvest to keep the grain from these areas separate in the store.

Nutrient factors

Nutrition to support stressed plants is a factor for all crops.

Magnesium in a formulation that readily enters the plant is key.

Boron and copper are also factors, as is potash, which helps move water through the plant. We are busy testing tissues and applying these nutrients to the plant at the first opportunity.

It could be a season where endophytes and biostimulants demonstrate their value, and these will be a factor if they fit into programmes.  

The awns are out in winter barley, and even in some early-drilled spring barley. There are low disease levels, mainly mildew and rust, and so most winter barley T2s will be based on prothioconazole plus a strobilurin.

We are also keen to look at Adepidyn because the trial data is compelling, especially against ramularia.

We need to understand how new chemistry works, even in a low-pressure year, so we are prepared for more challenging seasons. 

Rain requirements 

Spring pulses will need some rain soon to maximise potential.

We’re having to continue with grass and broad-leaved weed sprays because they still need to be managed, but many crops remain only six inches tall with four leaves.

The season remains on a knife-edge regarding the weather.

Whatever happens in the next six weeks, our role as agronomists is to stay optimistic and make the best of the situation, helping crops through the conditions thrown at them.

North

Stephen Bell (Fane Valley/Northern Ireland)

With some useful rainfall over Easter and recent warm weather, winter cereals have developed significantly.

Hybrid barley is flowering and the last of the T2 fungicides have been applied as awns reach the paint brush stage.

Disease levels are low, however ramularia is a constant threat and will no doubt make its presence felt in the next few weeks after flowering.   

Wheats are between flag leaf emerging, fully open and ear just emerging, depending on drilling date and variety.

Crops are generally clean with little septoria in the upper canopy. Yellow rust continues to flare up with scarring and active pustules visible in several varieties.

With unsettled weather forecast, septoria control remains the focus at T2, built around fenpicoxamid/azole and SDHI/azole-based products bolstered with tebuconazole to knock back yellow rust as needed.

Mildew is present in many oat crops, panicles are starting to emerge, and the final fungicides to knock back mildew and prevent crown rust will be applied shortly.

Spring cereals

Spring cereals got off to a good start, but growth on lighter ground has slowed in recent days.

Later drilled crops that did not got their roots down into moisture are in urgent need of rain. In the absence of disease, management has focused on weed control and growth regulation.

Transient deficiencies are widespread, but should be alleviated by rain.

Weed control in potatoes and fodder beet continues at pace, making the most of the brief yet useful rainfall last weekend.

Most beet is between the 2-4 true leaf stage with earlier drilled crops ready for the second herbicide application. 

Remember during hot weather to spray beet in the cool of the evening and be cautious when adding oil to the mix, if it’s 18-20°C leave it out.

With the spread of the EU43 genotype in Ireland and the absence of mancozeb as a multisite tank mix partner, getting it right with blight control is more complex than ever.

Managing resistance is fundamental to effective blight control and time has been well spent this week designing programmes mixing and alternating all available actives in line with FRAC guidelines before the blight spraying season kicks off.

Maize benefits

Weather has been ideal for maize, with rapid germination and growth.

Plants are pushing though film. Pre-emergence weed control has been variable in dry soils, with post-emergence applications and foliar nutrition required before the crop reaches the 4-leaf stage.

With a month to the longest day, and rain in the forecast, it is great to see crops in a much better place than last year as we enter the long bright yield-building days of June.

West

Ben Allard, Pearce Seeds (Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset)

We have experienced a long dry spell, and are in desperate need of rain.

While areas in the west have been blessed with the odd localised shower, these have been few and far between, often just dampening the dust.

All crops are starting to feel the effect of this prolonged dry period, particularly those on brash or sandy soil types.

I believe a negative yield impact has already occurred due to the stress placed on some crops – damage that even a good period of rainfall is unlikely to undo.

Winter cereals are progressing rapidly through their growth stages, often accelerated by the stressful conditions.

Disease pressure, particularly septoria, is low, as expected with the dry weather.

However, despite the ongoing debate around T2 fungicide strategies due to the low pressure, this is not a reason to cut back to the bare minimum.

There is still a long way to go between now and harvest, and the next four to five weeks are a key period in the crop growth cycle.

Cost-effectiveness

The choice of product and active ingredient should be based on cost-effectiveness in relation to current conditions and potential yield, but it should also offer stamina to provide protection into June.

With the weather patterns we tend to see, June could be the complete opposite of the past couple of months.

This could expose the crop to high disease risk if not adequately protected.

My T2 approach will be based around pydiflumetofen (Miravis) and a partner such as prothioconazole.

Looking at the long-term forecast as we approach the bank holiday, the weather is expected to shift towards a higher chance of showers.

I fear if T2 fungicide applications are reduced in response to current low disease pressure, we could find ourselves battling disease later in the season around the T3 timing, at which point curative treatments are never as effective as preventative ones.

Spring crops

Spring barley is a mixed bag this year. Early drilled crops are looking good and not showing too much stress yet.

However, later-drilled crops planted into poorer seedbeds are not looking great and show limited potential.

T1 applications have mostly been applied, typically a mix of fungicide and broadleaf weed control.

Under current conditions, only the strongest and healthiest spring barley crops have received a growth regulator.

Again, the stressful weather is pushing crops on quickly, with many spring barley fields showing fully emerged flag leaves.

I would not be surprised if awns started emerging in the coming weeks.

One spring crop that seems to be coping well in this weather is spring beans. They are looking good and healthy across the board.

The pre-emergence programme I used this year containing imazamox, clomazone, and pendimethalin has produced poorer results due to the dry conditions.

As a result, a follow-up application of bentazone was made, which often delivers mixed results.

Always remember to follow bentazone stewardship guidelines before application. It remains a vital component in our increasingly limited toolbox.

Maize is up and away, enjoying the sunshine, but like most crops, it’s in desperate need of rain.

Establishment has been strong this year, with most crops emerging within 10 days of drilling.

Despite the lack of rainfall, weeds are thriving, and fields that missed a pre-emergence treatment are carrying a heavier weed burden.

East

Harriet Bateman, Prime Agriculture/AICC (Norfolk, Cambs, Lincs)

There has still been no meaningful rainfall in the east, and the dry conditions are beginning to take a toll.

This prolonged dry spell has accelerated crop growth and pushed T2 fungicide timings significantly earlier than usual.

With the flag leaf now out in many crops, it is important to assess each carefully for yield potential before deciding on fungicide rates and product choice.

Well-tillered, disease-free crops with strong green leaf area may still warrant a robust flag leaf spray to protect green leaf area and push yield.

However, for thinner or stressed crops, particularly those on lighter soils, a reduced rate might be more appropriate to balance input costs with realistic output.

Although T2 is primarily a fungicide timing, it offers a good opportunity for any late weed control, but be mindful of herbicide cut-off dates and following crop restrictions. 

Grassweed control

It is a good time to evaluate the success of grassweed control programmes.

Wild oats and brome are especially worth flagging now to prevent problems later. A general observation is that blackgrass populations seem to be lower this year — a small positive in all the doom and gloom.

Sugar beet herbicide programmes continue to be a challenge, particularly with variable soil moisture making timing tricky.

Some fields are showing signs of damage from cabbage stem flea beetle, which is adding further pressure to crops trying to get away.

At the same time, aphid numbers have been on the rise. Thresholds are being reached in places, so careful monitoring is vital.

Just as a reminder: the threshold is one green wingless aphid to four plants up to the 12-leaf stage, and one a plant between the 12- and 16-leaf stages.

Where thresholds are exceeded, timely insecticide applications are key to reducing the risk of virus yellows.

Pulse diseases

In spring beans, thoughts are turning to the all-important flowering spray.

This is the critical window to protect against diseases such as chocolate spot and downy mildew, which can affect both pod set and yield.

In spring and winter beans, disease pressure has been low, but as canopies close and humidity rises, conditions can change quickly.

Well-timed fungicides will help keep crops clean during this important phase and protect yield potential.

The weather is certainly keeping us on our toes.