Early stem extension in
Castille sown 12 Sept 08.
Photo Farming Online.

South: Crops just started to grow again in response to recent milder weather and applied N. Pigeons grazing has been extensive and severe in many crops - but flocks appear to have dispersed somewhat in last week as drills have been out in force sowing spring barley. Pigeon deterrence needs maintaining in earnest now to allow crops to fill in and get away as days begin to lengthen - with nitrogen nearly £1/kg there is little point in letting it fly-off inside a pigeon!

Light Leaf Spot: despite media reports of widespread infection here in the South, have not seen any to date.

Charlock: some fields still have moderate/high populations, often in patches surviving winter frosts.

South West: Forward Catana in Somerset now at flower buds visible above canopy. Backward crops now picking up in response to applied nitrogen. Crops on capped heavy soils very slow to respond.

Phoma: no further reinfection seen.

Light Leaf Spot: none visible.

Pollen beetle: on thin late crops be especially vigilant for pollen beetle as the temperature rises.

Eastern Counties: Pat Turnbull reports that all crops have now had first N application, most with sulphur. Forward crops are now beginning to grow away, but small size plants on some late drilled fields are growing very slowly. Leaf size seems very small. Very wet when travelling through some fields have made a mess leaving deep tramlines.

Phoma: little re-infection following first phoma spray. Some fresh spotting but very variable. Have not had opportunity to spray any more fungicide this year. Phoma levels on new growth are low.

Light Leaf Spot: there is some light leaf spot but again at low levels. Crops need to be monitored some of the forward ones may warrant a fungicide applied for growth regulating properties but it is too early to make these decisions.

East Midlands: Crops vary from a GAI of 1 to GAI .4 - some new growth now showing but little stem extension yet. A lot of crops still have very little leaf and new growth providing a nice fresh snack for pigeons. Crops responding to N.

Phoma: autumn sprayed crops remain clean but unsprayed crops have phoma lesions and only time will tell what affect is. Now near cut off time for for phoma sprays although new growth may need protecting if phoma active.

Pigeons: flock in their thousands.

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

West Midlands: Most advanced crops 8 true leaves, remaining crops mainly at 2-3 true leaves. About 30% of crops now have full ground cover and growing well. Early/larger crops responding to nitrogen applied at the end of February BUT smaller crops refusing to kick start. 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.

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: still a major problem on some crops.

North East: Flower buds visible in most forward crops now, but most crops still have 'buds enclosed'. Many crops still being devastated by pigeons, and their chances of being viable crops are diminishing. A combination of drier weather and recently applied nitrogen has helped crops to develop good colour, and there has been significant growth over last 14 days.

Phoma: still not above 10% on any crops.

Light Leaf Spot: high level seen in some crops now.

Pigeons: major problem in some crops.

Charlock: a few small crops still to be treated as long as can get on before flower buds exposed.

September sown Diego
approaching GS30.
Photo Farming Online.

South: Peter Cowlrick reports that October emerged crops now all tillering (GS22-24), while November sown wheat is at 3 leaves to GS21. Earliest sown and most advanced crops are mid-tillering (GS 24-29). Tiller numbers are down around 2/plant on average compared to recent seasons, reflecting slow growing conditions induced by cool and wet soils for much of the winter period. Growth stages are around 2-4 weeks behind normal. Has been some noticeable growth/greening of crops in last 10 days or so of mild weather.

Mildew: pustules present on drill overlaps and sheltered areas fields in September sown crops of Solstice/Claire and Cordiale.

Septoria: present on older leaves of all September/early October wheats.

South West: Stephen Harrison reports that wheat growth is still slow except on lighter soils with high levels of inherent fertility. Crops range from 2 to 7 tillers. Mid February drilled crops are just to say emerging. On greensand and wet silty clays where surface capping is an issue manganese deficiency is apparent. Fields are still wet and sticky but drying out faster as days lengthen and temperatures gradually improve.

Brown rust: none seen.

Mildew: any odd pustules on early sown susceptible varieties now browned from cold.

Septoria: levels very low.

East Midlands: Martin Eudall reports that forward crops at GS 29 but majority at GS 23/24 and backward crops at 21/22. Early drilled crops after rape will be at GS 30 in about 2 weeks, especially if milder weather continues. Variable with some field work in lighter soils but heavier soils too wet for working. Some drilling of spring wheat has been possible but rain last week and the weekend has wetted soils up. Some ponded areas too wet to travel. Soil temps now rising to 7-8 deg C.

Mildew: older mildew found on lower leaves of forward Solstice, but upper leaves clean.

Septoria: plenty of Septoria on lower leaves.

Eyespot: stem based browning found on some crops, particularly on more forward crops but not penetrating and may well be more fusarium than eyespot - crops will need to be monitored over the next few weeks as warmer weather (especially if wet and mild) may well get eyespot moving.

Blackgrass: sprays have been going on but still many fields to be sprayed - heavier soils too wet to travel.

West Midlands: Bryce Rham reports that crops are all over the place due to large variation of drilling dates September to January and range from GS 13 through to GS 30. Field conditions generally good with even the heaviest of land now approaching a point where we can travel.

Septoria: levels very low.

Mildew: visible on Solstice and some early sown Humber.

Weed control: late sowns are still quite clean of weeds.

Eastern Counties: Brendan Butterworth reports that fields are slowly drying out. Early drilled at GS 2.3-2.4, mid tillering, odd field at GS 2.6, later crops at GS 1.2-1.3.

Mildew: some pustules found on Solstice/Claire/Humber. Although some dried up.

Septoria: levels beginning to build on crops of Consort, Gladiator and Viscount.

Wheat Bulb Fly: some signs of dead-heart, none sprayed pre egg hatch. Monitor backward crops after peas, early potatoes and set aside.

Weed control: pansies, speedwells, volunteer oilseed rape and nettles at cotyledon stage to 3 true leaf stage on late-drilled unsprayed crops.

North East: Phillip Tuplin reports some early sown Robigus and Nijinsky have main stems at GS 30. Other varieties fully tillered, and later sown crops GS 24-27. Only had 9 mm rainfall locally in last 14 days, and had some good drying days so land is in good condition now, and farmers having no problems travelling with sprayers or fertiliser spreaders.

Mildew: low level on older leaves on some early sown Humber.

Septoria: crops are generally cleaner than seen for a year or two, but have infection on older leaves particularly on Nijinsky, Einstein and Gladiator.

Yellow rust: none seen.

Eyespot: only low level seen so far, generally in the earlier sown crops.

Blackgrass: no crops have been sprayed yet. Some have large Blackgrass or dense patches in them now.

South East: Winter Barley has started spring growth.

Net blotch: at moderate levels in some crops of Sequel and Boost.

Eastern Counties: Crops have not enjoyed cold/ wet winter, soils slowly drying. Disease levels still remain low.

East Midlands: Crops just starting to move at GS 23/24. Like wheat all barley crops have had some N on to get them moving. Where herbicides going on manganese added as matter of course.

West Midlands: Crops at late tillering. Manganese deficiency showing on some lighter land. Very little disease present.

North East: All crops in GS23 - fully tillered. Disease levels very low.

: Just starting to chit. Where drilled pre-em herbicides now applied.