Harvest: Harvest has generally been progressing very well. While some areas of the country have got a number of stoppages it is still very early to have so much work done. Many people also got some of the varieties which are weaker on straw harvested before the stormy weather at the weekend. There are still a lot of crops to be cut, with many only coming right now.

Keep track of your weighbridge dockets so you can work out how individual fields yielded and examine what went well or didn’t go well after harvest. Keep track of weighbridge dockets to see how the yield monitor is working if you have one.

There is plenty of winter wheat to be harvested still. Prioritise varieties which are poorer on sprouting where possible in case of rain and a stop to harvesting. Spearhead is one variety in particular to keep an eye on.

Straw chopping: A reminder that chopped straw should be incorporated as soon as possible after harvest if it is in the Straw Incorporation Measure. Take pictures as you go along in case there are any issues with payment later in the year.

Stubble cultivation: Stubbles should be cultivated within 10 days of harvest or baling and in all cases within 14 days of harvest. You should leave 20-25% of your cereal stubble uncultivated. This uncultivated area can include fields going into winter crops, so you can plant all winter crops on your farm and meet the uncultivated area. You can plant cover crops on your farm without being impacted by the uncultivated area requirement. Equally, leaving uncultivated stubble is important to protect endangered birds that depend on cereal stubble for their habitat. Target fields for cultivation where there are weed problems that need to be addressed and will benefit from a stale seedbed. Fields with blackgrass, meadow, rye or soft brome can be left uncultivated and rolled to help weeds to germinate.

Catch crops: The date has passed for catch crops planted ahead of winter crops under the Farming for Water project. It was 1 August. Catch crops to remain in place over winter need to be planted before 1 September in this project. ACRES catch crops need to be planted by 15 September. The sooner they are planted the more benefit they will be to the soil.

Oilseed rape: Oilseed rape did well for many farmers this year with yields of 1.8-2.5t/ac and over in some cases. It has become a very consistent crop to grow with lower risks of pod shatter in new varieties. With harvest finishing up earlier than usual it is an ideal time to plant oilseed rape this year from the middle of August on. Contact your merchant about the varieties that are most suited to your system.

Beet: Some people will be applying fungicide to beet at present to improve yield and strengthen leaves for harvesting. Discuss what you will apply with your agronomist and ensure you are applying a product that has a label for beet.