More settled weather has allowed an intense week of cultivations and winter cereal drilling. Despite concern during a relatively wet mid-September decent seed-beds now seem achievable with care.

In cereals, pre- and early post-emergence herbicide strategies have been tailored on a field basis according to grassweed populations. Strategies are based on a key stone of flufenacet, with the addition of other actives (e.g. pendimethalin, diflufenican, flupyrsulfuron-methyl, tri-allate) according to herbicide resistance status and previous performance.

To maximise the performance and crop safety of these mixes, as some will be strong, ensure the seed is well covered and that seed-beds are as good as conditions allow. Pay close attention to spray quality – where seed-beds are more cloddy, angled nozzles can help improve coverage around clods. If possible keep the sprayer close behind the drill as it is proven that in moist conditions autumn residuals work most effectively pre-emergence of the crop and weeds.

All non-Deter (clothianidin) cereals should be treated for aphid/BYDV control at full emergence. If adding in an insecticide to a peri- or early post-em herbicide mix, it might be wise to pay a premium for an insecticide with a “kinder” formulation.

Slugs are very active in these moist soil conditions; again good seed-beds and careful consolidation will help reduce damage. When selecting metaldehyde based pellets consider the number of baiting points and integrity of the pellet. If conditions become wet and cool, switch to a ferric phosphate-based pellet. Although generally more expensive, they may be more cost effective than repeat applications of metaldehyde?

Oilseed rape crops are a mixed bag, the earlier drilled crops generally look good and are growing away from pest damage. However, some later drilled, smaller crops are still struggling with slugs. Flea beetle are also becoming more active as the weather and field conditions improve. Aphid migration into rapeseed is slow, but monitor aphid forecasts for the arrival of those which transmit the turnip yellows virus. These aphids are widely resistant to carbamates (e.g. pirimicarb) and/or pyrethroids (e.g. lambda-cyhalothrin) so treatment with another mode of action is recommended, such as a pyridine (e.g. Plenum) or neonicitinoid (e.g. Biscaya). Neonicotinoid treated crops will be protected from virus for approx. 8-10 weeks.

Some crops will require early grassweed control with either clethodim (Centurion Max) or carbetamide (e.g. Crawler) depending on the situation. Monitor all crops for the first signs of phoma, which are expected soon.