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Better weather
Most of the time better weather would mean dry and bright. At the moment it would be a few drops of rain, a shower at night time preferably. Winter wheat may not need it, winter barley doesn’t because crops are generally heavy and there is more than enough lodging already but spring crops could still benefit from a good dousing. Some winter and spring crops are already showing white patches as plants die off due to the dryness.
Spring crops, especially barley, are very variable. Moisture is the only real solution but it may not arrive. Many spring crops have gone backwards as awns appear at a little with 25cm height.
Many crops show colour variability but no clear symptoms of elemental deficiency. This may be because all nutrients are limited by water availability. Seedbed and soil structure are critical. There are also many excellent spring barley crops. Nutrients in the seedbed were critical.
Many spring crops have a lot of yellow leaves, both late and early sown. Such crops have often occurred before and can yield well where the canopy is adequate.
Lodging: There is a lot of lodging in winter barley in places. Some of this was caused by recent rain and wind but some crops had patches down even earlier. Lodging is common especially on ins-and-outs.
The cause of lodging appears to differ. Some have been caused by stem break near the base while others appear to have lodged as a result of a weakness in the lower nodes, a bit like brackling but much earlier and much lower down. This is a worrying development and we must ask if it is in some way related to the rapid stem extension and growth?
Crows
The attack on winter barley has begun. Take the necessary precautions, especially along edges, fences and gates, under electricity cables, tramline ins -and-outs and lodged spots. Use thread, tape, kites, balloons, etc. Bangers can also help.
Final sprays
Final fungicides should already be applied on all winter crops. Many spring barley crops are now at or coming to awns emerging and in many cases this is only 14-18 days since the previous fungicide. But crops are moving fast and it is better to apply this early as ramularia may be an even bigger threat to crops under stress.
Include a contact like Bravo or Phoenix for ramularia control. Final sprays on barley could include Siltra, Ceriax, Bontima, Elatus Era, Fandango or Proline plus Treoris.
Aphids
These can be seen beginning to build on wheat heads and on the foliage of spring barley. Unless there is an instant explosion it may be best to leave control to natural predators as these are also present in fields.
Watch spring rape for pollen beetle as insecticide may be necessary if numbers are high. If insecticide is to be applied try an avoid damage to bees by spraying very late at night or in the very early morning.
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