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Winter cereal planting is likely to get underway this week but it is still very early and it gives all the advantages to grass weeds that are either problematic or multiplying up on your land.
But drilling date is a compromise to get crops established in good conditions.
The most obvious disease risks from early planting are BYDV, take-all and septoria. In many fields planting is delayed by the presence of unbaled straw.
Use Redigo Deter seed dressing for aphid control on any early planted crops.
The loss of IPU means that fields must be sprayed post planting and pre-emergence to get a good foundation for grass weed control.
Application of products like PDM or flufenacet need to be pre-emerge to give the biggest kick on annual meadowgrass and to set up follow-up grass weed treatments for success.
Defy plus DFF remain an option.
Drill winter barley initially at around 300 seeds/m2 (155-185kg/ha or 10-12st/ac). Hold off on planting wheat for as long as is sensible on individual fields.
Drill early wheat at 180-200 seeds/m2 (110-125kg/ha or 6-8st/ac at 55g TGW).
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