The deadlines for planting catch crops are fast approaching.
Tillage farmers have been busy in recent days, as rain arrived to make ground conditions more suitable for cultivations.
Catch being planted under the Farming for Water Programme as over-winter catch crops need to be planted by 1 September. They need to remain in place until 1 January 2027.
Catch crops being planted under ACRES need to be planted by 15 September. These also need to remain in place until 1 January.
The rain of recent days has seen a burst to the fields as farmers scramble to get them in. The dry weather of harvest cleared fields quickly, as harvesting was completed efficiently, straw was baled quickly and removed swiftly.
Growers were just waiting for damper conditions to make cultivations easier and to have moisture for seeds to grow.
Records
Make sure to keep your sales invoices from seed purchases. You should also keep your seed labels.
For full details on seed requirements, read our guide.
Be sure to purchase higher voluntary standard seed to keep grass weed risks at bay.
Oilseed rape
The recent rain has also speeded up oilseed rape planting, after a slow start due to dry conditions. The area of the crop is expected to increase substantially and the coming days will allow crops to be planted at an ideal time of the year.
Some have struggled to get weed control complete, but will still have an opportunity to do so ahead of planting in some cases or with cultivations.
You can plant up to 10 September or even the middle of the month. Discuss varieties with your seed supplier and try to get out with a pre-emergence herbicide after planting.
SHARING OPTIONS