Phoma developing in
untreated crops.
Photo Farming Online

South: Forward crops showing a lot of yellowing as frost recedes. Later sowings stunted and look very poor. Centre of plant still green and healthy.

Phoma: Some respotting occurring and small crops will be retreated as soon as conditions allow sprayers to travel.

Pigeons: very active in many crops.

Eastern Counties: Pat Turnbull reports that plant populations seem OK in many of the fields with backward small rape 20 /m2 plus and farmers have been working hard to keep the pigeons away. No inputs to crops over last two weeks, ground conditions are now wet.

Phoma: little re-infection yet on protected crops but unsprayed crops at threshold level now says Brendan Butterworth. Most forward crops sprayed once, early second application applied in most cases, few more to complete.

Weeds: all herbicides now applied and symptoms now very evident.

East Midlands: All crops 'hardened' off. Estimate about 8-10% late sown crops will not get through this 'proper' winter. Late crops very poor - pigeons adding to woes.

Phoma: now present on most crops at low levels (<10%). All 'likely-to-survive' crops sprayed with one dose of fungicide.

Weeds: charlock has survived well - main problem is it is as small as the rape so not susceptible to frost.

West Midlands: All crops appear to have survived the frosts, biggest problem as ever is pigeons and also rabbits which have grazed the crop to the deck. Nitrogen will be applied to the backwards crops as soon as conditions allow.

Phoma: varying levels on unsprayed crops with some at threshold and beyond and others not showing many symptoms, also many crops where there is either no leaves due to grazing or severe pigeon damage.

Pigeons: a major problem on some crops.

North East: Only about 60% of crops have reached full establishment, many have weathered poorly especially where wet.

Phoma: still not above 10% on any crops.

Pigeons: major problem in some crops.

Consequences of heavy
rain on saturated land.
Photo Farming Online

South: Stephen Harrison reports that wheat crops still moving slowly if at all, although some slight greening up is apparent on lighter freer draining soil types. Land as wet as I have ever known with frequent heavy showers taking away any opportunity for ground to dry out.

Brown rust: none seen

Mildew: any odd pustules on early sown susceptible varieties now browned off in the cold.

Septoria: levels very low.

Weeds: a lot of sterile brome emerged but temperatures too low for good control and little chance of obtaining the required dry leaf.

East Midlands: Malcolm Harrison reports no real change - many crops still between GS12-22, with later crops still to emerge - 2 crops drilled this month. Ground now wet! No opportunity for any spraying! Crop growth very slow to nil, very little snow protection.
I foresee a 10-15% increase in spring cropping as a result of failed (mainly) oilseed rape and a small area yet to be drilled. Most very late winter wheat (Jan drilled) at risk. If weather favourable, some more could still go in where seed available before end February.

Slugs: cold, frosty weather has slowed them down but low levels of leaf shredding still in evidence.

Weeds: little spraying done - none envisaged for some weeks unless drastic change in weather.

West Midlands: Bryce Rham reports that field are now waterlogged in most situations with standing water where not normally seen. Some drilling just before and between Christmas and new year. Most clients now resigned to no further drilling. Alternatives will be spring oilseed rape/barley/beans and fallow in preparation for winter oilseed rape.

Septoria: levels very low.

Weeds: Cleavers now showing in October drilled crops and emerging on later sown crops which have not received an autumn herbicide.

Eastern Counties: Brendan Butterworth reports that field capacity has been reached. The rate of growth has slowed due to cooler weather conditions, frosted grounds and wet soil. Early drilled at GS 2.2-2.3 (mid tillering), majority at G.S. 1.2-2.1. Some still only at emerging to two leaf stage.

Mildew: curtailed by the cold conditions.

Septoria: trace levels only.

Wheat bulb fly: none seen as yet, none sprayed pre egg hatch.

Weeds: volunteer beans, Fools Parsley and Shepherds Needle in places where not treated pre Christmas.

North East: Andrew Beeney reports that the ground is cold and very wet. Growth is very slow and spraying progress has halted. Soil temperatures are about 5°C. Manganese deficiency showing on light land.

Weeds: unsprayed crops will have to wait until the spring.

South: still rather yellow. Attention now turning to getting N on the crop to encourage tillering and shoot survival as soon as soil temps get to around 6 deg. C. (and are sufficiently dry to travel)

Eastern Counties: as for wheat, rate of growth has slowed due to cooler weather conditions. Crops looking under stress they have not enjoyed cold/ wet weather.

East Midlands: No change - crops have coped reasonably well.

West Midlands: Some crops showing yellowing due to waterlogged soil conditions, very few sprayed as yet again due to poor conditions. Very little disease present.

North East: Crops have not weathered the cold well and now looking yellow.