Green bud stage in forward
crops. Photo Farming Online.

South East: Most crops now entering early stem extension with enclosed green buds visible.

Phoma: second Phoma sprays are only being applied to smaller/backward crops - however the likelihood now is that most crops will not need further fungicide input until the stem extension timing.

Pigeons: still very problematic in thinner patches and more open crops - are still some very large flocks about. Pigeon deterrence proving a frustrating occupation.

South West: Majority of crops have some plants at green bud. Flash and Excalibur are fully there on lower ground. Both varieties demonstrating tremendous ability to fill the ground on poorer establishments. Seems to be higher levels than usual of scorch/spotting from first fertiliser applications. Not really a problem but is quite noticeable. It is possible to confuse this with light leaf spot.

Phoma: one or two new spots on larger older leaf but new growth very clean.

Pigeons: in certain areas are still defoliating large plants at green bud and will just not lay off.

Eastern Counties: Pat Turnbull reports that growth is variable, more fertile sites/earlier drilled are more forward. All crops starting stem extension. Very noticeable how spindly plants look on one farm where the first N dressing has not yet been applied. In many fields very uneven growth (brought about by the delayed emergence of some plants in the dry conditions last autumn). In Lincolnshire flower buds now visible in most crops and stems elongating.

Pigeons: continue to be a real nuisance and areas of some fields are getting harder hit week by week. They have hammered some crops - many flower buds gone from main stems and side stems.

Phoma: crops sprayed twice completely clean and very green.

Light leaf spot: odd foci of infection but not widespread. I plan triazole at less than full rate at mid stem extension on several fields for canopy manipulation. Aim to shorten crops and also even up flowering. With the added benefit of some disease control.

East Midlands: Slight growth but no major stem extension.

Phoma: new growth remains clear but on the other hand pigeons taking new growth in some crops anyway.

Club root: Crops haven't suffered as bad as other years with little or no above ground evidence (i.e. yellowing of leaves, bad stunting) - hopefully due to use of Lime, Boron etc or it could have been due to the dry Sept/Oct.

Pigeons: pigeons flocks now increasing.

West Midlands: Crops now visibly growing with most advanced at full green buds visible. Some crops on light land looking rather spindly. Triazole being applied as conditions allow to the most forward/thick crops.

Phoma: some reinfection is now visible particularly on Lioness.

Light leaf spot: difficult to decide whether fertiliser scorch frost damage or genuine article, will look again next week.

Pigeons: vast amounts in some crops.

North East: Flower buds clearly visible in most forward crops now, but not at 'buds proud' stage yet.

Phoma: applied 2nd application of fungicide late Jan/early Feb.

Light leaf spot: none seen.

Pigeons: activity increasing, damage extensive, large flocks still gathering.

Gout Fly damage - note stunted
swollen shoots.
Photo Famring Online.

South East: Peter Cowlrick reports that, earliest sown (September) crops are now entering early stem extension GS 29-30 (especially Solstice), with October sown Soissons now at GS30. Otherwise crops range between mid-tillering and GS 29. Around 1.5 inches of rain at beginning of week has made lower lying and heavier fields soft and wet again.

Brown rust: pustules present in all September/early October sown crops of Claire/Alchemy/Solstice & Cordiale where seed not treated - levels remain much lower than time last year.

Yellow rust: none seen.

Mildew: pustules still present on most September sown crops of Solstice/Claire in sheltered areas and lusher canopies, but otherwise mostly browned by recent frosts.

Eyespot: stem based browning being noted in many 1st wheats, but looks like mostly sharp eyespot at this stage.

South West: Stephen Harrison reports that there has been little change in nodal growth stage over the week. Crops are hanging on to tillers and we may see high shoot numbers this season. Gatsby and Humber are particularly green. Very forward crops are starting to look a bit ragged in the wind and cold, especially more erect type varieties like Solstice and Timber. Frequent heavy squally showers have made soil surface very tacky.

Brown rust: still difficult to find and where present only at low levels in the base of the crop.

Yellow rust: still none seen.

Septoria tritici: largely confined to older leaves.

Mildew: levels remain low.

Eyespot: forward crops have around 10% lesions of true eyespot in some cases plus ragged brown areas, which are likely to be fusarium. Clearly defined sharp eyespot can be seen higher up the stem on a significant number of fields.

Aphids: no aphids being found.

East Midlands: Martin Eudall reports that forward crops moving to GS 26-29. Later drilled crops at GS 12-21. Some crops looking forward and a bit lush whilst others have started to take on a yellow tinge, probably showing the wide variation in soil N. In spite of dry period soils very wet still with local ponding on headlands and wet sticky patches. Fieldwork being avoided where possible due to potential damage.

Brown rust: none seen.

Yellow rust: none seen.

Mildew: some pustules found on lower leaves of Einstein and Solstice but cold frosty nights are holding it in check.

Eyespot: some low levels of stem base browning found on 2nd wheat but difficult to tell if start of eyespot or fusarium at this stage.

West Midlands: Bryce Rham reports that crops range from GS 13 -30. Have some Humber and Timber at GS 31 on the main stem, Einstein is the next most forward variety. Field work, not a lot happened last 7 days due to high winds and wetter ground.

Mildew: not active and primarily visible on Humber.

Brown rust: looked at lots of Alchemy and none found to date.

Eyespot: some lesions visible on Gatsby early sown and on Solstice.

Gout Fly: finding more crops every week that will require early N, worst fields seem to be min tilled after break crops even where not sown very early. In severe cases some plants have more than one tiller affected, with overall damage at 40% of crop.

Eastern Counties: Noticable that first wheats are 2-3 weeks ahead of "normal' in growth stage, reports Brendon Butterworth. Very wet soil conditions after recent heavy rainfall.

Brown rust: low levels in Alchemy now disappeared following frost.

Yellow rust: trace levels.

Eyespot: beginning to become apparent in some crops.

Septoria tritici: main disease this year so far. Solstice, Gladiator, Consort all with quite high levels.

Mildew: now building again especially on Claire.

Take-all: starting to show in second and third Wheats.

Gout fly: symptoms of attack now being seen in some fields

North East: Phillip Tuplin says Most crops mid- fully tillered. Most 1st wheats at or close to GS 30. Had another dry week with only 6 mm rainfall, but more is forecast.

Brown rust: low levels present on Alchemy and Nijinsky but threat of severe infection much less than last year.

Yellow rust: none seen, but it may be there and visible symptoms could appear soon.

Septoria tritici: high levels on older leaves of susceptible early sown varieties such as Nijinsky, but overall seeing average levels for this time of year.

Eyespot: high levels of stem browning easily found in second and continuous wheats.

Mildew: present at a low level in forward crops of Claire, but is actually less evident than it was in December.

Wheat bulb fly: no 'dead-hearts' seen so far, and crops close to cut off for dimethoate approval.

Mildew controlled by recent
frosts. Photo Famrning Online.

South East: All crops range from GS29-30. First N+S applications already applied to all barley crops. Brown rust - low levels can be found in most crops of Pearl/Sequel/Boost.

South West: Winter barley now fully tillered but generally yellow and prostrate. Soils, which retain Nitrogen well or have a history of Organic manure are turning green as fresh new tillers take dominance in the canopy. Mildew, generally low levels being found on older leaves mainly. Brown rust - low levels can be found in most crops of Pearl/Sequel/Boost.

Eastern Counties: Crops at the 5 - 6 tiller stage. Net-blotch: evident in crops, especially second barleys. Nitrogen and Sulphur applications have been applied.

Midlands: Most crops at GS 25 with odd late drilled at 23. Majority of crops very thick and lush which is the opposite to the wheat, can see the need for growth regulators in a lot of crops.

North East: Most crops fully tillered now in range GS 25-28 and at leaf sheath erect stage. Most crops fairly yellow following cold spell. Mildew: some forward crops had significant levels in December, but they are clean now although some older leaves have been lost. Generally, there is very little mildew around. Net-blotch present at low level in most crops.