Agronomy Update - October 2021

Ollie Berkley - Bartholomews Agronomist

OSR Crops are at variable growth stages depending on sowing date as some crops may have been planted later than usual. CSFB activity can still be seen and will need to be monitored while the crop is small and most vulnerable. Monitoring for slugs will need to continue especially if the wetter conditions persist. Clearfield varieties will require their relevant herbicides and target weeds when they are small for the best control.

As always, sprayer hygiene is important especially if going into non-Clearfield varieties, wash out with All Clear Extra. When a good flush of Blackgrass has come up, then use clethodim being aware of the timing restrictions stated on the label. This may need to be followed up with propyzamide when the soil temperatures reduce. Monitor forward crops for phoma and treat if necessary. Turnip sawfly Larvae can still be seen in Stubble Turnips crops and if seen should be treated with a pyrethroid product.

Delaying drilling can help reduce the amount of emerging blackgrass in winter wheat and barley fields followed by a stack of Pre-em herbicide active ingredients. Make sure your seeds are drilled to 32mm after rolling for Pre-em sprays and 40mm if Avadex granules are being used. Water volumes for Pre-em sprays should be kept up, improving the ground coverage. They should also be applied to moist soils allowing the chemistry so stay within the target area of the soil profile.

Delayed drilling will help reduce the risk of BYDV, but on earlier drilled crops the Syngenta BYDV Assist app can be used. This app can help you time your insecticide spray enabling you toreduce the risk of secondary infection of BYDV. Winter cereals will also be at risk from damage from slugs, especially winter wheat grown after OSR. Slugs can be attracted to the drilled seed when it has taken up water from the soil. The slugs will destroy the growing point and therefore kill the embryo. Slugs will be a threat to cereal crops up to tillering. When the threshold has been reached, use Ferric Phosphate.

Winter Beans and winter linseed would benefit from a pre-em application as the post-em application are very few and far between, making weed control in these crops very difficult.

If you want to get in touch with our agronomy team, call 01243 755610.

Find out more about what we have to offer in our Agronomy package HERE.