This time last year I stated that there is no guarantee of better prices for tillage farmers in the year ahead and that is what has happened.

Unfortunately, I must say the same again for 2018 so common sense must prevail in terms of land rental prices, investment and crop choices.

I must also add to these concerns the possibility of SDHI resistance in septoria.

I think this is not a don’t-plant-wheat issue but it is important to be conscious of the risks involved with a big acreage. So variety resistance and planting date must be matched carefully to try to minimise the level of spring infection.

Delayed planting

Delayed planting helps to reduce autumn septoria multiplication in a crop, which should reduce the actual amount of resistant spores in a crop. Having fewer resistant isolates at T1 should help the efficacy of this important treatment.

Ideally wheat planting in the upper half of the country should be delayed until early October and be at least two weeks later in the warmer south.

Tillage farmers vulnerable to cruelties of the weather

No guarantee of improved prices for tillage farmers in 2018

This is our fifth year of price levels that leave no joy or margin in cereal production, writes Andy Doyle.