From bad to worse: We have had so many false starts this spring – ground was almost ready and then more rain. The weather has gone from bad to worse across almost all of the country. The only good thing is that temperatures have been low. Most winter crops have received at least some nitrogen, as well as P and K. Fields were slowly greening up, but high rainfall amounts now question where some of this nitrogen may be.

Planting: Once we get into the second week in April there must be a big question on spring beans and spring wheat. Some may stay with beans for a while longer because of the prospect of higher aid if the overall area is below the threshold. Others might consider spring wheat for whole cropping. But these should really be planted next week at worst.

With barley it pays to wait until seedbeds are good enough, even though there is a lot of work to be done. Seedbeds make crops. Get the simple things right first.

One of the fears now would be that things will dry out excessively when the rain stops. For this reason, it makes sense to have a little more nitrogen in the seedbed than one might usually do. If you are incorporating three bags of 10:10:20 you might consider a bag of urea per acre to go with it, especially with malting barley.

Target 380-400 seeds/m2 for spring wheat and oats and about 380 seeds for malting barley. But seedbed is everything and more seed is not a compensation for poor seedbeds. The vast majority of malting barley does not get sown until after 7 April, so make sure it gets off to a good start.

Combine drill fertiliser where possible – seedbed incorporation is the next best option. Don’t forget the sulphur in the seedbed. Roll post drilling if possible as this can be a big help for germination, establishment and early season growth.

Alternatives: Given the problems of the spring for fodder, etc, you might do worse than ask around to see if any neighbours are interested in having fodder produced. It is not late yet for maize or fodder beet, or even grass for forage. Spring wheat or barley might even be grown for whole cropping. Identify a possible market and then work out the payment arrangements. Don’t close your eyes to an opportunity.

Nitrogen: Forward rape crops need their remaining nitrogen shortly. The maximum rate allowed is 225kg N/ha. Target up to 90kg N/ha, providing you are within limits, once the first flowers appear.

It will shortly be time for the main N split on early winter cereal crops. On Index 1 soils, bring winter wheat and barley up to 180kg N/ha (145 units/ac) by early stem extension and winter oats up to 145kg N/ha (115 units/ac). On more fertile Index 2 soils bring winter wheat up 150kg N/ha; winter barley up to 155kg N/ha and winter oats up to 120kg N/ha. More N can be applied to all crops where proof of higher yield exists.