Action in the fields at last. The oilseed rape has now had two small splits of nitrogen in our little-and-often approach to fertiliser management this spring. Movement was just starting to be seen before the latest cold snap.

I estimate crop growth is about three to four weeks behind where it should be. The wheat has had one small split, but as with the rape, no movement as yet. Muck and mystery trace elements will be the next application to both rape and wheat to improve rooting and a growth regulator on the wheat to stimulate tillering.

Drilling spring wheat has started, with most of the seed going into decent seed-beds with about 30% now complete. The Weaving tine drill was used as there are too many hidden wet spots to risk the Vaderstad. Nearly 25mm of rain followed by freezing temperatures has now put that on hold as the land is saturated once more. We have about 100ha of spring rape to drill where the winter version has failed.

We are coming to the end of our first four years of variable rate lime, phosphate and potash applications, with the soil due to be resampled this summer. It will be interesting to see how indices have changed and whether we have evened fields up. We are looking at all the options offered by the different companies that are offering this service.

The recent dry spell has helped with the construction of our new grain store, with most footings now dug and concreted. A few holes are going to need pile driving as we have hit bottomless seams of wet running sand. All credit to Keenan Construction for its hard work in some pretty awful conditions.