Crops are trying to catch up to where where we would expect them to be in a “normal” year, but there is still huge variation. At the time of writing (13 May) most winter barley has leaf two emerging and the most forward winter wheat also has leaf two emerging, but there are some which have yet to reach GS30.
Temperatures are currently lower than normal, but at least we have now had some much needed rain which has washed in recent fertiliser applications and will enable many maize, linseed and spring oilseed rape crops to emerge. Septoria levels are still fairly low, but are likely to spread quickly now. I’m glad that T1 programmes have, mostly, been SDHI-based with sensible rates of triazole. Thoughts will soon turn to flag leaf fungicides which, at the moment, are still likely to be based around SDHIs as well.
The biggest concern at the moment is the late flush of broad-leaved weeds which are now emerging. The main culprit at the moment is bindweed, but there is fat hen, red shank and cleavers. These can be taken out easily on late crops with the T1, but the earlier crops will have to wait until flag leaf fungicides are sprayed.
Spring barley crops are at early to mid tillering. Rows are getting close to closing so herbicides and first fungicides are just about due now. Fungicides will be based around Jaunt (prothiconazole + fluxoastrobin + trifloxystrobin) and Arizona (folpet). Mildew levels are low or none-existent at the moment so Fielder (proquinazid + chlorothalonil) is less likely to feature. Weed issues are similar to the winter crops, the only suprise being that wild oat emergence is lower than normal. With the rain I’m assuming that will change and will come in with Axial (pinoxaden) where/if needed.
Oilseed rape crops are mostly at early flowering, but some are only just about at green/yellow bud. There are some which have been ripped out this week, and I still have a couple of fields which may yet get sprayed off and fallowed. The thin crops that are growing are branching out well so there is some yield potential there.
Sclerontina sprays are due now. Remember that sprays only offer protection not eradication so timing is key. They offer protection for about 2-3 weeks so expect to be doing a second spray within 21 days. I’m recommending Galileo (picoxystrobin) and/or Caryx (metconazole + mepiquat chloride) for the first application and then Recital (fluopyramand + prothiconazole) as the second for the better crops.
