Still plenty of potential in cereals, say experts
Still plenty of potential in cereals, say experts
By Andrew Blake
and Andrew Swallow
BE prepared to squeeze every last grain out this years cereals, advise agronomists who say that despite widely differing crop development across the country, many fields still have plenty of potential.
Firming prices make essential inputs to maximise output increasingly easy to justify, particularly from early sown winter wheats.
"Treat your good crops as well as you ever would, if not better," says ADASs David Parish, who adds that prices are 25% up on the same time last year.
"Dont skimp on nitrogen, beware of under-doing fungicides and be sure to assess lodging risk." In many instances late growth regulators will still be required to avoid flat crops.
A key difficulty this season is knowing how to treat crops that vary within fields. "Abandon the wet holes, but not whole fields," advises Dick Neale, of Cambs merchant HL Hutchinson.
"Much can be achieved by different tractor forward speeds," adds Keith Dawson of CSC CropCare.
After the weekends warmth and rain early this week, many cereals have been transformed, says Mr Neale. "They look in pretty good fettle."
Poor earlier growth is blamed on a lack of microbial activity in cold soils. "Now things have warmed up we are starting to see major changes. Spring sowings, especially spring wheat, are tillering like crazy. Id never believe how they are responding."
The main requirement now is to get outstanding nitrogen top-dressings on as soon as possible. Applying 1.1 litres/ha of 3C Cycocel (chlormequat) can help stimulate rooting in late spring drillings, adds Mr Neale.
He dismisses fears that a drought and poor rooting may limit potential. "There is now no way we are going to run into moisture stress."
After considerable waterlogging, attention to specific deficiencies of manganese, magnesium and sulphur should be well rewarded this season, says Herts-based AICC adviser Peter Taylor.
Wheat growers aiming for milling samples, especially of Malacca, must be prepared to use liquid nitrogen at ear emergence to hit the 13% protein target.
Think how much cash you can earn from using inputs rather than rigidly sticking to tight budgets geared to low output, urge crop consultants.
Crop expectations
This seasons winter wheat area is down about 20% on original intentions of 2.2m ha, estimates ADASs John Garstang. But 70% of what was sown still has potential to yield well. Even indifferent crops could be satisfactory, if kept clean. To ensure that, fungicide dose should be kept above half-rate. Below that dose response curves show a dramatic drop off in both disease control and yield. "Cutting rates puts you into this iffy area. You have to know what you are doing if you go below this level."
Wheat fungicide response
Dose Cost Yield Return £/ha resp t/ha
Quarter £25 2.51 >7 times
Half £50 2.92 >4 times
Full £100 3.52 >2.5 times
Based on NIAB data 1999 and 2000, interpreted by Simon Ward of Increment.