Wet and wind begin to delay crop treatments

Weather pressures:

Continued bad weather is creating problems for crop management as timely inputs are being delayed by broken weather, wet ground conditions or high winds. Fertiliser, herbicides and insecticides on spring crops, and fungicides, plus possibly nitrogen, on winter crops are the main challenges.

Most winter barley crops now have awns visible, but the pace of development has slowed in recent weeks. Many wheat crops are now pushing out flag leaves, while most oat crops have had flag leaves out for some weeks.

We are certainly getting a wet and windy May – let’s hope it delivers on its promise of a bountiful harvest.

Despite the wet, many spring crops show an uneven colour, with wheel tracks generally appearing greener. This is often a symptom of nutrient availability, but it could be major or minor nutrients. If this problem is persisting, apply a multi-element treatment to restore crop health.

Spring crops:

The more advanced barley crops are now well tillered and await herbicide and aphicide, and many may need a wild oat spray. Some will also need trace elements. Add a second herbicide active when using an SU as resistance is present in a number of weeds.

Fungicide might also be included if there are signs of rhyncho or net blotch. The most advanced wheat crops will soon need CCC or another growth regulator.

Wild oats should be targeted reasonably early, before the canopy gets too dense to achieve good spray penetration. Products like Axial, Croplink Avena, FarmCo Axis, Rogue, FarmCo Wild Oats or Foxtrot can be used on wheat and barley, while Cheetah Extra can only be used on wheat.

Final nitrogen top-dressing should be applied to all spring crops once they move into stem extension.

Winter crops: Some winter barley crops with awns appearing may need a stopgap fungicide to get to ears emerging. Rhyncho has become very active in places and mixtures of actives are essential. Alternate the actives used to help keep resistance at bay and never use a single family.

Advanced winter barley is at the final spray stage. If only one SDHI was applied already, the final spray should include an SDHI, a good triazole, chlorothalonil for ramularia control and possibly a strobilurin.

Product options include Siltra, Bontima, Ceriax, a Treoris triazole mix or Fandango. Chlorothalonil or Phoenix should be present in all final treatments.

It’s time for the T2 treatment on many wheat crops. Rain in recent weeks has made septoria a serious threat. Sprays should include an SDHI, lots of triazole and chlorothalonil. Try and alternate the chemistry used from spray to spray.

Check wheat for wild oats or volunteer oats and spray if necessary with either Axial, Cheetah Extra, Croplink Avena, FarmCo Axis, FarmCo Wild Oats, Foxtrot, Rogue or Traxos.