Good growth: The combination of showers and warmth has helped crops considerably. Spring crops in particular have blossomed over the past few weeks and many are now moving into stem extension. Winter barely remains a bit more variable though with some crops now well into flowering, with others only awning out.

Winter crops: Most crops remain quite clean. The weather pattern combined with well-timed fungicides have combined to do a good job and less disease now reduces the pressure for later in the season. We must now hope for a fine June that will help minimise the risk of ear blight.

Most wheat crops now have flag leaves emerged and unfolding and T2 sprays should be applied. They should be sprayed with an SDHI, triazole and multisite. There are a myriad of options and mixtures but any sensible combination of the three ingredients should suffice. These include products like Adexar, Aviator, Seguris or Treoris plus a triazole. Include chlorothalonil in all sprays. Try to alternate the triazole used at T2 versus T1 and, while it may be of questionable benefit, alternate the SDHI active also.

Winter barley growth stages vary from earing out to well into grain fill. Final sprays should be applied as the ears emerge or before. Many crops are now finished.

Oat crops are at various stages of earing out so consider final sprays in the next seven to 10 days. Final sprays should include a strobilurin plus a triazole. Options include Amistar plus Folicur or Jenton plus Folicur if mildew is present.

Spring crops: Barley varies from mid-tillering through to stem extension. Spray later-sown/patchy crops for aphids at the four- to five-leaf stage. Apply fungicide from late tillering to early stem extension. Pay particular attention to crops sown after dirty stubbles that had a lot of volunteers.

Fungicides might be based around prothioconazole (Proline) where rhyncho is evident. Good crops should merit a strobilurin or an SDHI in this spray also. But always use mixtures to help protect actives. T1 sprays on barley could be Proline or Helix (mildew present) with a strobilurin or an SDHI. Pre-formulated product options include Bontima, Ceriax, Fandango, Siltra etc. Consider Moddus plus CCC on very thick crops. Wheat should be sprayed with CCC (0.8 l/ha) at stem extension (GS31). Check label rates. Watch all varieties for mildew and rust. If mildew or rust are not present, hold the first fungicide until flag leaf if possible. Early spring oats is also at stem extension stage so growth regulation is required. A mildewicide like Talius should be considered on most varieties if mildew it is not yet present or Tocata if mildew or crown rust are present. Spring rape crops are now at green bud stage and at risk from pollen beetle. Check crops for the presence of beetle and spray if necessary with Karate or cypermethrin.