The challenging planting season moved a little closer to competition this weekend as the holiday weekend delivered on weather promises. Few tillage farmers had the chance to enjoy the long weekend, however, as fine weather meant the pressure was on to complete the sowing of cereals, brassicas and forage crops.

Heavy sea fogs and early morning mists slowed field work in parts of the south and some of the heaviest ground is just drying out now. Many farmers worked into the early hours of the morning as the forecast of an unsettled week threatens to halt progress once again.

Planting

Many growers have completed spring planting for 2018 while others have just made a start. Spring barley is largely the only viable cereal at this point. The key to spring barley at this stage in the season is getting its total balance of N applied as early as possible. Aim to apply the balance once tramlines are visible.

Spring rape is another crop option that growers may consider. It’s not considered late for the crop and it may serve as a means of preserving rotations.

Winter crops

Winter crops are moving rapidly through growth stages. Winter wheat is around GS32 plus, winter barley between GS32 and awns peeping while winter oats is ground GS32 plus. Spetoria, brown rust, rhyncho and net blotch are all present in these crops. Depending on growth stages, most are due to or have received their T1. Crops will also have received or are due to receive a growth regulator. PGRs at this stage aim to strengthen the stem. Options include Medax Max (+/- CCC), Moddus plus CCC or Ceraide depending on the crop and stage.

Pests

Slugs are active in some fields but aphid numbers remain low. However, with the warmer temperatures comes the risk of increasing aphid populations. It is important to walk your fields and monitor numbers. Bird damage can be a problem at this time of year so aim to put deterrents in the fields soon after sowing. Watch emerging bean crops for signs of weevil damage (notching on the leaf edges).

Good planting progress in places but many areas still damned by wet ground

Sunshine gets fieldwork under way in reasonable conditions

Tillage management: planting progress in most areas on hot holiday weekend

At long last tillage farmers enjoyed a number of fine days in a row and good progress was made. However, heavy sea fog and mist in the south has led to further delays with spring planting.