Crops are generally clean except for a lot of yellowing and some mildew in spring crops. Watch for aphids. With more rain forecast, they may not build or they may be restrained by weather plus the activity of natural predators.

Complete the second fungicide on spring barley when the awns are emerging. Include a contact like Bravo or Phoenix for ramularia control. Final sprays on barley could include Siltra, Ceriax, Bontima, Elatus Era, Fandango or Proline plus Treoris.

Final sprays on oats could be something like Elatus Era, Cielex or Folicur plus Jenton. Final sprays on spring wheat will be a triazole mix such as Prosaro, Gleam or Magnello, plus or minus a strobilurin or a morpholine. History has suggested a benefit from having chlorothalonil included in an early final spray on spring wheat if some unusual things occur.

Winter rape:

Most crops are still a bit away from desiccation, but some may be ready within the week. It is important to get the timing right for glyphosate. As sampling is not easy, judge the timing when the colour across the top of the crop is equivalent to the colour of a hare’s back.

Sample a number of representative areas of the crop. Pick 20 pods at random from the centre of the main raceme (stem) at each sample point. Open the pods. If at least two-thirds of the seeds in a pod have turned from green to brown in at least 15 of the 20 pods at each point, the crop is at the earliest correct stage for spraying with glyphosate.

Crows:

The attack on winter barley has begun. Take the necessary precautions, especially along edges, fences and gates, under electricity cables, tramline ins and outs and lodged spots. Use thread, tape, kites, balloons, etc. Bangers can also help.

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