|
CROP CRACK06.12.08
By WENDY FEARON
Clarendon Agricare -Cereal acreage down!
Cereal acreage is well down on last year - the main reason being poor weather conditions at sowing time. Considering ground conditions over the last few months’ winter cereal crops that were fortunate enough to be planted are emerging well. There is plenty of slug activity, particularly on heavier land. Some autumn herbicide has been applied yet were ground will not carry grass weeds are going to be a problem in the spring.
CEREALS
Where herbicides have not been used, the key weeds are annual meadow grass and other grasses. If those are coming through with other weeds you should be considering using one of the broad spectrum herbicides such as those based on pendimethlin (Stomp), flufenacet (Crystal), IPU (Fieldgard)or DFF (Hurricane) whilst the grass is at the seedling stage. Another option may be Koala which is DFF and IPU in a mix for use post emergence only on both wheat and barley.
Slug activity is extremely high and some crops may perish if attention is not given and pellets applied if required. Slugs will continue working until we start to get regular ground frosts at night. Consequently they will feed on whatever is available to them and late sown winter wheat is a particular favourite. Crops need to get beyond GS12 before they can grow away from further slug damage, so late sown crops must be monitored closely. Applying slug pellets under the right conditions for slugs to be active on the soil surface is crucial- apply pellets if soils are moist and the weather forecast is for little rain, low wind and no frosts.
Aphids have continued to fly into crops well into November because of the mild conditions. Growers who applied an aphicide in September or October will need to check crops again in case the flight of aphids have led to an infestation of the crop and subsequent threat of transmission of BYDV.Aphids have been observed on volunteer spring barley.
VERMIN CONTROL
As temperatures become cooler farm buildings should be checked and sealed to prevent access by rats and mice who will be seeking shelter. Make buildings as impenetrable as possible by sealing off possible entry points, and set traps to gauge whether any vermin have managed to already gain access to buildings.
STORM bait should be placed close to runs and holes where rats are active. If the bait is covered with boards or lengths of pipe it gives the rat a feeling of security when feeding and also protects the bait from the weather and hidden from other animals, children or livestock. Ideally use a specially designed bait box.
Mice do not move far from their nests which are usually indoors. Place smaller quantities of bait within a few metres of nesting sites.
|
