Cantana rape, showing how
effective slugs can be at
shredding even big leaves.
Photo Philip Tuplin

South East: Crops range from 5-9 true leaves - bulk of crops remain around 6-8+ true leaves and have continued to grow well in recent mild but wet spell. Pigeons beginning to become problematic in more open crops.

Phoma: all crops were sprayed between 4-6 weeks ago and so far there is still no sign of renewed infection.

Flea beetle: only a low level of larval invasion of leaf petioles being found. It would appear that most crops in the South are unlikely to need re-treating this year.

Weeds: Runch being treated from now on, charlock can be left until late January/February.

South West: Still huge variation in some fields. Plants much larger in wheelings - better consolidation and moisture preservation. Undoubtedly the worse autumn for oilseed rape establishment in 27 years experience. Early September sowings that saw little or no rain for 4 weeks have really struggled. Crops are now winter dormant and frost is making leaves very lax. Older leaves now dying off.

Flea beetle: no further damage.

Phoma: only a handful of crops have been retreated. These were very early forward crops where first treatments took place in late September or early October.

Pigeons: now gathering in large flocks and feeding hard on rape.

Slugs: no further damage seen.

Eastern Counties: Pat Turnbull reports that crops have continued to grow over last two weeks and some of the late emerging crops now have the majority of plants 10 to 15cm across. Pigeons still a great problem, seem to have amassed into huge flocks, vigilance needed to move them on.

Phoma: still no signs of fresh phoma lesions.

Slugs: becoming less severe.

Weeds: we have charlock to control and also contemplating action to suppress weed beet.

East Midlands: Crops have improved, backward areas much better - 2 stages of growth now less obvious.

Phoma: no signs of reinfection.

Flea beetle: now much less serious.

Pigeons: pigeons flocks now increasing and some large flocks seen, with damage to crops.

West Midlands: Most crops now grown sufficiently to survive the winter but there are concerns about the viability of some fields if we have a harsh winter.

Phoma: unsprayed crops still showing very low levels of phoma.

Flea beetle: only slight damage seen so far.

Pigeons: vast amounts in some crops, they will be very hard to control.

North East: Crops are well established now at 5-9 leaves, and generally are an ideal size for the start of winter, unlike last year when many crops were far too big for their own good.

Phoma: no re-infection has been seen so far.

Flea beetle: some activity in most crops, but not requiring specific pass to control.

Slugs: slugs have still been active even in some large crops (see photo).

Blackgrass at three leaf stage.
Photo Philip Tuplin.

South East: Peter Cowlrick reports that, October emerged crops now mostly tillering, while November sown wheats are at 1-2 leaves. Earliest sown (September) and most advanced crops are now mid-tillering (GS 24+). Spray programmes are around 80-100% completed now on most farms. Hopeful that bulk of outstanding spraying will be completed.

Brown rust: pustules present in all September/early October sown crops of Claire/Alchemy/Solstice where seed not treated with fungicide. Monitor until February.

Mildew: recent frosts have browned mildew pustules.

Aphids: no recent sightings.

Slugs: colder weather this week appears to be halting surface activity now.

South West: Stephen Harrison, reports that crops range from 3 leaves to fully tillered. All planned drilling was completed this autumn. Crops now in winter dormant phase with little or no new growth occurring. Wheat looks green and healthy.

Brown rust: startlingly less than last year - it feels like we have already had more frosts than winter 2006, which has severely curtailed this pathogen. Dare we dream of better cereal prices AND lower fungicide bills?

Septoria: little development seen which is consistent with the generally smaller canopies this autumn.

Slugs: activity slowing in colder conditions.

Weeds: worst fields now have blackgrass at 2 leaves, albeit at low to moderate populations, after pre emergence herbicides.

East Midlands: Malcolm Harrison reports that 99% crops now drilled. Most crops at leaf 3-6 with most forward tillering. Growth has perked up after mild and wet weather - some late-drilled crops now look respectable. 50mm rain during first 2 weeks of December, but now cold and dry. Land was wet, but now drying.

Brown rust: no obvious disease yet.

Slugs: just slight activity in some cloddy patches but no major damaging problems. Keep monitoring backward crops.

Weeds: blackgrass emerged on worst fields - but no 'carpets' of thick blackgrass. Evidence of high dormancy, exacerbated by dry conditions.

West Midlands: Bryce Rham reports that all wheat now emerged and ranges from GS 11 to GS 25.

Aphids: none seen.

Frit fly: surprisingly little after long term setaside.

Slugs: cold snap helping keep them at bay.

Brown rust: none seen.

Eastern Counties: Bredan Butterworth reports that most September drilled wheats now at 4 Tiller stage, with the majority of crops at early tillering leaf stage. Very wet recently but frosty conditions this week should allow any final herbicide applications.

Brown rust: trace levels.

Septoria: Low levels in the most lush forward crops.

Aphids: low levels but most crops treated.

Slugs: recent frosts helping to slow activity down.

Weeds: blackgrass variable stages of growth 1 leaf to 2 tillers, has germinated from very deep and will need a follow up treatment in the spring.

North East: Phillip Tuplin reports that, Growth virtually stopped now. Can still see later sown crops 'filling-in' in the rows but most crops at GS 22-25. Had 32mm rainfall in last 14 days, and also some frosts so land is not good for travelling now.

Brown rust: none seen.

Slugs: recent frosts helping to slow activity down.

Weeds: A few fields identified now with Blackgrass at 3 leaves. Most fields are still very clean except for some headlands where dense patches of grasses are appearing now.

Most crops now tillering well.
Photo Farming Online

South East: All crops range from GS 22-24+. Net-blotch: high levels noted in few fields of Sequel after spring barley/winter barley.

South West: Crops have recovered well from earlier paling or scorch from peri emergence applied herbicides. Post em treatments have generally been kind on the crop. Most crops now well tillered.

Eastern Counties: Crops now at 6 lvs+ with some at tillering. Some obvious Mn deficiency. Net-blotch: first signs on crops.

Midlands: Majority of barley now sprayed, crops have grown very quickly over the last 2-3 weeks with some looking very lush. Low level of Net-blotch in some crops.

North East: Crops in range GS 23- 25 and not growing now. Low level of Mildew in most crops, but significantly worse in early sown crops and particularly Flagon.