Many fodder and sugar beet crops around the country are now due a fungicide. Around 8,800ha of beet crops were planted this season, a reduction of around 10% on 2019.

Reports from growers suggest that crops are generally looking good. Crops which contended with dry conditions and patchy emergence have now caught up thanks to weeks of broken weather and ample rainfall.

Products

Forward beet crops should now receive a T1 fungicide to prevent leaf diseases, especially rust. Crop canopy quality and integrity must be maintained for crops which are intended to be harvested later in the season.

Crops which are not as advanced will be due a fungicide application later in July.

Product choices include Opera (1l/ha) or Escolta (0.35l/ha), etc. Depending on the pressure, growers may apply a T2 fungicide in a month's time.

Growers should also use this opportunity to top up on nutrients such as boron with the T1 if sufficient boron has not already been applied.