Broken weather:

Fields are greening up and relatively warm temperatures will speed up growth and crop development. Some progress has been made in applying nitrogen to winter crops and tidying some spraying. There were some small bits of planting done in the past week, but wet prevented activity in most fields. Temperatures look set to be above average so ground conditions should improve. Prioritise winter crops until conditions are suitable for sowing.

Planting:

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This is proving to be an awkward spring, with reports of beans still not planted. The potential margin in these crops, planted in April, is very questionable as they are also likely to run late at harvest time. Aim to get any remaining spring wheat planted at about 350 seeds/m2. But even this is questionable unless you are in an early part of the country or you are producing for wholecrop. Oats are also a priority at about 140kg to 155kg/ha (9st to 10st/ac). While there is less urgency on barley, it needs good conditions and then drill at 155kg to 170kg/ha (10st to 11st/ac).

Combine-drill fertiliser where possible – seedbed incorporation is the next best option. Fertilise according to soil tests. If you don’t have a recent test, the maximum P allowed is 27kg/ha assuming a 7t/ha crop average. If you are Index 1 for P and K, three bags of 10:10:20 per acre is a reasonable starting point. Add sulphur on light worn ground.

Good seedbeds remain important for spring crops. If they are cloddy, plant a little deeper. Try to roll post-drilling.

Nitrogen:

Most rape crops are flowering and so it is probably too late to apply more nitrogen. Backward crops can still benefit from an application. The maximum allowed rate is 225kg N/ha, so apply the balance soon. If you had a full canopy and applied less N as a result, the last 90kg N/ha (70 units/ac) should be applied as flowers appear.

Many winter cereal crops and the few early spring crops will be ready for top dressing this week. On Index 1 soils, bring winter wheat and barley up to 180kg N/ha (145 units/ac) at early stem extension and winter oats up to 145kg N/ha (115 units/ac). On more fertile Index 2 soils, bring winter wheat up 150kg N/ha; winter barley up to 155kg/ha and winter oats up to 85kg N/ha.

PGR: Forward winter crops may be at growth regulator stage. It is preferable to have good growth when applying regulators but it may be hard to get perfect conditions. Many winter barley crops are now at or past first node, so it is time for growth regulator. Consider Moddus plus CCC (0.15-0.2 + 1.0 l/ha respectively). Consider Meddax Max 0.3kg to 0.5kg/ha where temperatures are low. Strengthening the base at the start of stem extension is important – shortening can be done later. CCC will suffice on most winter wheat crops at 1.4 l/ha (75% products) but take care if using Pacifica too. Oats can also use the Moddus/CCC mix or Ceraide at 1.4 l/ha once or, preferably, 1.15 l/ha twice to get strengthening and shortening, starting at GS32.