That weather window: At the start of the month there was great concern that this harvest would go on forever with considerable losses. While some suffered considerable losses, for most the loss only occurred on a proportion of crops and it was generally very variable and related to time of harvest and local weather. There was a level of yield loss but the overall harvest quantity is likely to be higher than had been previously estimated, but still shy of 2mt. Grain quality suffered towards the end but much of the total harvest was still very good.

Stubbles: Cleared stubbles open the opportunity for shallow cultivation. Getting at least one cultivation in a stubble will help germinate a proportion of the weed seeds near the surface – this year’s and from the soil seed bank. That means fewer problems for the future and less pressure on herbicides. And if there is not too much rain this week, conditions should be good for this job.

It is good soil husbandry to always have plants growing on the land, with roots in the soil to help keep it open. But the vegetation on top is most beneficial. The presence of green cover sequesters carbon as the plants grow and the leaves help protect the soil from the damaging impact of frequent rainfall over winter.

When planting green cover, as either catch or cover crop, include at least one broadleaved species as they cover the ground quicker to protect the soil. This applies whether such a crop is being grown for GLAS or just for you to benefit your land.

Planting: Anyone planting rye could have been putting it into the ground early this week, but planting can still continue for a few weeks. Just ensure you have a market for it before you sow. The time has passed for planting winter rape.

The next safest crop to plant now, specifically on land that does not have a severe grassweed problem, is BYDV-tolerant KWS Joyou winter barley. Supply may be limited but so should be the amount of planting being done this week.

Next week brings the real start of planting for most growers. The recent cooler temperature should help slow infection risk from a range of potential problems. Drill two-row winter barley at up to 330-350 seeds/m2. Use thousand grain weights to guide planting rates as the recommended list ranges from 46.5g for Belfry and Bazooka, all the way up to 58.4g for Valerie. This means seed rates from 157kg/ha (10st/ac) for 330 seeds at 46.5g, up to 197kg/ha (12.5st/ac) for 330 seeds at 58.4g TGW.

Six-row hybrids should be drilled at 200 seeds/m2, or even less when conditions are good with early sowing. That equates to around 95kg/ha (6st/ac) as a guide.

Put in early wheat at around 180-200 seeds/m2 (90-100kg/ha or 5.8-6.4st/ac at 46g TGW). The recommended varieties are described on page 40. Bennington has been removed but there is seed available. It performed well in 2020 but a low yellow rust rating means it should be held for later sowing to help minimise autumn infection risk.