Harvest of the spring crops is done, despite some catchy weather and maincrop potatoes are coming off well. A little common scab in places, but yields are excellent despite some undersized canopies through the season. It’s been a “wheat year”, with above average yields across all bar a few blackgrass fields, which will be spring cropped this season. Given the erosion of margins on winter wheat, the lower input costs on spring crops – especially for blackgrass control – make it a sensible switch, with spring barley the best choice in terms of out competing a serious blackgrass population.

Oilseed rape establishment has generally been good, if quirky. Some cloddy seed-beds have weathered down well, with excellent emergence. Some that were rolled and caught heavy rain have capped, trapping emerging plants along with the slugs. Overall slug pressure has been very high – check your field rate if using metaldehyde, with 1.5, 3, and 4% pellets on the market it can be an headache. Remember no more than 210g/ai/ha, between September and December. Ferric phosphate pellets have great longevity in field, which helps offset any extra cost. I recommend them where pressure is high and further applications will be needed, and as a matter of course around water or rights of way.

Strong establishment of rape seedlings is key if young plants are stressed by conditions or grazing from flea beetles, slugs or sawfly – a couple of litres of multinutrient feed such as Codex at 2-4 true leaves can give them the wings they need to get away. Applying some sulphur in the early autumn is likely to improve nitrogen uptake and optimise yield potential.