Compared with this time last year, land condition could not be more different. Last January most fields were still saturated, while we saw grain planted last week in conditions described as “better than October”. Ploughing progress has been good in many areas too. There was also some spraying done.

The best advice one can give is to get essential field work done when the opportunity presents itself – there is no guarantee that conditions will be as good later.

Growth continues: Most fields are still visibly growing, but overall growth levels are generally not excessive or worrying. The majority of crops look very well up and down the country, with very little patchiness. The ongoing combination of relative warmth and high humidity will inevitably help diseases.

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Tillage management: grain prices and forward selling