Awkward weather: Varying amounts of rain have made field work difficult to impossible over the past week. Low temperatures appear to slow growth, yet many winter crops are moving rapidly through growth stages. Early crops have moved into stem extension, so growth regulator will be needed. The forecast seems largely dry for most of the week ahead, but it is likely to remain cool overall.

Planting: There was little or no planting done in the past week, but conditions were almost good enough in places. Some areas received relatively little rain, but it still prevented work. From here on it may be necessary to take every half chance to get acres planted.

Seedbed quality matters even more later in the season, as you must ensure rapid uniform germination plus good root soil contact to support rapid growth. As the year moves on it is even more important to have seedbeds well rolled post planting, to help ensure uniform establishment. Uneven late emergence is a recipe for additional problems like BYDV and uneven ripening.

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As the season moves on, all remaining planting should consider a minimum of 350 seeds/m2 for all cereals. Make use of recent P and K tests to help make best use of the fertiliser applied. pH is critical.

Nitrogen: Many winter crops are moving into stem extension as the days get longer. Cut the stem along its length to give you a clearer picture of what’s happening. All winter crops need to have received the bulk of their total nitrogen by early stem extension, as this represents a peak growth period. Any remaining N should be held until post flag leaf emergence. Rape should receive its final N (up to 90kg/ha) as flowers begin to appear.

Bring winter wheat up to 150kgN/ha in Index 1 fields and up to 170-180kgN/ha on Index 2 sites. For winter barley bring worn Index 2 fields up to 200kgN/ha with a bit less on stronger land. Bring oats up to 120-130kgN/ha.

Winter cereals: Crops moved rapidly into stem extension as temperatures increased. Separate out leaves to check where you are with regard to the third-last leaf being fully emerged for the T1 fungicide on wheat. Once first nodes are clear, apply PGR and this can be as basic as CCC alone. Temperatures look set to remain cool but there is a dry week forecast, which should help to get work done.

Winter barley crops have generally moved into stem extension so first fungicides should be applied where two sprays are being used. T1 options depend on the target – triazole plus SDHI or strobilurin when targeting rhyncho or tebuconazole plus strobilurin where rust is the target.

On wheat the T1 options will include a straight triazole plus chlorothalonil, with or without an SDHI. Consider both the T1 and T2 at the same time so as to use a different triazole at T2.