Spring weather continues: It’s not that often I can write of good spring weather in early April so it’s great to have it. Daytime temperatures have helped land to dry and soak and there is a good bit of drilling going on. All ground was workable but some is only coming fit for planting. Growth is evident but it seems that we are getting more stem extension than leaf emergence and this is most evident on crops that were burned by growth regulators and frost.

Many growers have been able to get some spring planting done as other land dries out. Temperatures seem set to remain relatively low for much of this week with a few growth bursts but they may keep a lid on growth and the urgency of winter crop husbandry.

Planting: Sowing should now be completed as land dries out and conditions become satisfactory. There is a lot of ploughing done in advance and this should be planted whenever conditions are good enough.

It is arguably late now for planting beans but, with barley demand likely to be hit by carryover, any other crop might look more sensible next harvest. Bean margin will be helped by the protein aid so it may still be a very satisfactory crop. But any remaining crops should really be sown this week.

The next priority is to get any remaining spring wheat planted at about 350 seeds/m2. But this crop is questionable now too unless you are in an early part of the country or if you intend to produce wholecrop. Any remaining oats are also a priority at about 140-155kg/ha (9-10st/ac).

After that the priority is barley, but it needs good seedbed conditions to help keep it growing. Drill at around 155-170kg/ha (10-11st/ac). Spring rape can be drilled now too but only in very good seedbed conditions. Use 5-6kg/ha of seed to get a good quick ground cover.

For barley and rape, combine drill fertiliser where possible. Seedbed incorporation is the next best option but it needs to be cultivated in. Use soil test results to guide fertiliser choice and rate. If you don’t have a recent soil test, the maximum P allowed is 27kg/ha assuming a 7t/ha crop average.

If you are Index 1 for P and K then three bags of 10:10:20 per acre is a reasonable starting point. But you really need more K from a bag or from or cattle slurry with this fertiliser in this situation. Add sulphur on light worn ground.

Try to roll post-drilling where conditions are good enough. Roll at an angle to the direction of drilling to get better tightening.

Nitrogen: Forward rape crops need to have their remaining nitrogen applied as flowers are very evident.

Most winter crops need to have their main N split on now or shortly as most are well into stem extension (but not all). Bring winter barley up to 160-190kgN/ha total on worn ground. Bring first wheat after beans and rape up to 150kgN/ha now and worn ground that has not had any organic manures in recent times up to 175kgN/ha (total to date). Bring oats up to 135kgN/ha total.