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Over the weekend, the first combines of harvest 2018 rolled into action, as winter barley crops ripened. The prolonged dry and hot weather has accelerated ripening and, this week, many more combines will be active in the fields. Virtually all spring crop husbandry is nearing completion, but questions must be asked as to the merits of a final head spray at this stage in the season given the expected continuation of the dry weather.
Drought conditions continue to grip the nation, with crop conditions deteriorating by the day. While rain would be the solution to many problems, many crops have now passed the stage where rain would provide any real benefit.
Final sprays
The majority of final head sprays in spring barley will have been applied by now, as virtually all the heads are now emerged. The merits of applying a head spray at this stage in the season, given the current weather outlook, could be debated, but this must be determined on a crop by crop basis. Final fungicides must include chlorothalonil (Bravo) for ramularia control.
The majority of heads have emerged on oats by now. The head spray should be applied when the bulk of the head is emerged. Spring wheat should be finished at early flowering using triazoles for ear blight control.
Harvest begins
Harvest 2018 has officially begun, with farmers in the south and midlands the first to make a start. Initial information indicates a high bushel weight and low moistures, but yields are as yet unknown. While grain moisture is low, temperatures at time of harvest are high, meaning grain may enter the shed at a high temperature. If this grain is pushed into high piles, then there’s a chance they could sweat and heat, leading to risk of moulds. If grain is being pushed into long-term storage, then adequate ventilation systems should be inserted in the piles to cool the grain if needed.
Straw
While the temptation to clear the fields right after the combine by baling straw is there, in many cases straw is not completely dead and green patches still exist in the fields. With no immediate break in the weather in sight, ensure straw is dead and dry before baling.
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