Rain came to nothing: The promise of much-needed rain failed to materialise for most growers. There has been a lot more rain across the south and many of these areas also had much more rain in April. Mullingar and Oak Park (Carlow) received 1.9 and 1.8mm respectively in May to date but Mullingar had 41.9mm in April versus 29.7mm for Oak Park. Many areas across the northeast and into Northern Ireland only received around 15mm since the start of April.

Conditions were quite dry this time last year also and it turned out well for most crops. The dangers from a big spill of rain now would be late gemination, a nitrogen release, secondary growth and increased lodging risk.

The frost in recent weeks has caused some visible crop damage but loss of grain sites in winter barley or oats may be less evident.

Winter cereals: Most crops have remained relatively free of disease. Barley and oat crops remain generally clean but septoria is present in wheat crops. Many growers have cut back on fungicide as a result so crops need to be watched closely as a shot of rain could drive a burst of disease.

Winter barley crops should be finished and they should all have received a contact fungicide (chlorothalonil or folpet) to control ramularia. Keep an eye on crops for brown rust as it can sneak in late.

Winter-sown oats are also heading and final fungicide should be applied once the crop is eared out. Final sprays should include a triazole plus either a strobilurin or an SDHI. Elatus Era has been a good final spray on oats in recent years but Tocata might be considered where mildew is a problem and Jenton is very useful where rust is active.

Most winter wheat crops are now at flag leaf fully emerged stage (T2 fungicide timing) but January- and February-sown crops are less advanced and have one leaf less.

Products like Librax, Adexar, Ascra, Elatus Era or a triazole plus straight SDHI mixtures would be the norm for this slot. This year, Revystar and Lentyma add to the choice where septoria is a real threat. Chlorothalonil should not be used on any crop after 20 May. Watch for mildew and yellow rust, as well as septoria.

Consider 40-60kg N/ha on winter wheat post GS39 depending on the potential of individual crops, field history, and the amount of N already applied.

Spring crops: Weather conditions have provided a nice pace of growth and crops are now into stem extension. For those who get a good shot of rain, the likelihood of significant soil N mineralisation is high given high soil temperatures. This could significantly increase the risk of soft stems and lodging in dense crops, especially where high N was used or where there was a top-up of N in the dry time. So growth regulator might be needed.

Once the risk is there, PGR should be applied as early as possible. Weak stems can’t be strengthened. Product options will centre around Moddus and Medax Max, plus CCC. Be careful with crops still under moisture stress.