Aphicides might still be applied to fields in high-risk areas and on crops that are emerged for a few weeks with no insecticide cover. This could also include crops that emerged six to eight weeks ago and where Deter was used on the seed.

Crops that emerged this month might not need specific aphicide treatment except in high-risk situations. Crops following stubble that had a lot of volunteer growth could be at higher risk if there were signs of BYDV on the volunteers.

Volunteers

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It is important to remember that ploughing down big quantities of volunteer vegetation can contribute to the risk of BYDV infection. Ploughing down BYDV-infected volunteers, along with infected aphids, presents a real infection threat to following crops. Such volunteer vegetation should be destroyed well in advance of ploughing. So burn off such vegetation after 1 December.

Ground conditions remain good for the time of year, but further planting should be considered seriously due to the additional establishment problems at this time of year.