TA G
7
e m a i l : e d i t o r i a l @ n a t i o n a l f a r m e r . n e t N A T I O N A L F A R M E R
Januar y/Febr uar y
Where conditions allow, spring crops can be sown
with the exception of oilseed rape and linseed,
and peas unless perfect conditions prevail � these
are more likely to find suitable seedbeds in March.
Spring beans should ideally be sown before
March, while spring cereals, particularly malt
spring barley, usually perform better sown in
February. However, seedbed conditions are the
overriding consideration, leading to inevitable
delays if good seedbeds can't be produced.
Availability
As more products disappear, it's essential to
maintain good weed control with what we have
left. For pulse crops, the best options are pre-
emergence treatments, so
decide which product to
use and check availability
before drilling. Also,
make sure seedbed
conditions will allow
optimum herbicide
performance.
Spring cereal crops should receive most, if not
all their nitrogen soon after drilling. This is
particularly important with malt spring barley.
Some can be held back for a second dose, but this
should still follow shortly afterwards to avoid
possible problems with spring drought.
Apply first nitrogen doses to winter cereal and
rape crops. For cereals this should be after the
middle of the month; delays into early March will
be harmless provided a spring drought hasn't
already started. Remember to include sulphur
with the nitrogen on rape, while cereals grown on
light soils may also suffer from sulphur deficiency:
past experience will help here. Remember also to
apply a `robust' dose to second wheats, and make
these a priority for treatment when the rape crops
have been done.
Sulfonylurea herbicides form the basis of most
spring broad-leaved weed control programmes
and most can be used from February 1st.
Whether this will be the first herbicide treatment
or a clean-up after incomplete control from an
autumn treatment, the weed population should be
checked carefully so that the right product is
chosen, and remember that most products require
the weeds to be growing, not still winter-dormant.
Leftover grass weed sprays (for example, Atlantis
and Broadway Star) can also be applied if soil
temperatures reach sufficiently high levels. Again,
dormant weeds will not be controlled.
Susceptible varieties of winter wheat should be
checked regularly for evidence of active yellow
rust. Although the cold weather will have checked
it, it could start moving again if milder conditions
prevail. As mentioned before, this disease is easy
to keep on top of if it is not allowed to get a
foothold. Treatment may be needed outside of
normal fungicide timings but if you're watchful
and prepared to treat as
and when necessary, then
it shouldn't cost too
much, with low-dose
triazole fungicides being
effective on developing
(rather than developed)
infections. For crops
where yellow rust isn't a concern, the first
fungicide will not be due until late March at the
earliest.
Delayed
The cold weather may have delayed egg hatch
in wheat bulb fly, in which case treatments for
this timing may still be waiting. For other crops at
lower risk, a `dead heart' spray can be used and
symptoms of infestation may be visible later this
month. Before the tillers start to die off the crop
may appear limp and show a bluish coloration
which is an early sign of dead hearts appearing.
Charlock control is probably ongoing in
oilseed rape crops. The earlier cold weather
certainly waxed-up the crops, and will have helped
the control given by any herbicide sprays. Severe
cold weather can kill charlock anyway, so
untreated crops may not need treating after all �
but don't assume that, check your own crops
carefully!
National Farmer Agronomy Brief
The Arable Group is
again holding a series of
training courses through
the quieter winter
months. Qualifying for
both BASIS and NRoSO
points, course topics
include:
n Understanding and
managing nutrient
requirements;
n Maintaining control of
cereal diseases;
n Optimising pesticide
applications, and
n Understanding the
science behind the
environmental impact
of arable farming
Courses are open to
members and non-
members alike;
prices start from �80.
Venues include
Bedfordshire, Berkshire,
Cambridgeshire, Durham,
Essex, Gloucestershire,
Kent, Lincolnshire,
Norfolk and
Warwickshire.
Why not book a place
today? Call TAG on
01285 652184, or visit
the TAG website at:
www.thearablegroup.com
TAG WINTER
TRAINING
COURSE
It's this month that field work usually starts in earnest: fertiliser applications, spring
drilling and spring weed control. The very cold New Year will have killed or at least
checked a number of developing problems, including yellow rust in some susceptible wheat
crops, aphids in untreated crops, and overgrown oilseed rape crops. In the latter case,
concerns about excessive canopies going into winter will no doubt have been put to rest,
since if the cold weather didn't defoliate these crops, the cold starving pigeons will!

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