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CROP CRACK - 22.03.08
By WENDY FEARON
Clarendon Agricare - Time to tend your Cereal Crop
Ground conditions at the beginning of the week have allowed fertiliser to be applied and T1 fungicides onto more forward crops. Some growers were able to achieve a T0 but for many a robust T1 will be needed. Never before have so many different varieties been grown in Northern Ireland.
The seed scarcity in the autumn has meant many varieties only ever seen on lists, to be grown in fields here. It is important to note any crops which may be at risk from take all may be treated with Amistar. It is important that fertiliser is on, and working before agrochemical is applied as many crops are now showing high levels of stress. Mildew, brown rust and more recently Rhynchosporium are appearing onto winter barley with high levels of mildew and moderate levels of septoria present on wheat. It is essential to apply a morpholine with good knockdown at this time. OPUS TEAM which contains Epoxiconazole and Fenpropimorph will control brown rust, mildew, rhyncho, septoria and also has useful activity against eyespot. It is also time to pinpoint wild oat problem areas as now is the best time to control them.
Many winter barley crops are now showing signs of manganese deficiency, and a foliar treatment should be applied. Although autumn herbicides have worked exceptionally well this season some weeds have begun to appear especially chickweed and cleavers.STARANE XL may be applied at this time as it is much less temperature sensitive than CMPP.Docks are also appearing in ley ground and ground where maize was grown last year and can be easily treated with ALLY MAX.
As many growers begin to prepare land for spring crops it is important to assess for leatherjacket numbers especially this year with so much of our cereal land coming out of ley.It is essential to achieve good grassland destruction and ground not yet sprayed off with glyphosate should be done as soon as possible. Although glyphosate prices have increased this season, it still remains the most cost effective means of total grassland destruction.
It is very important this year to know the soil status when intending to grow any crop. Fields should be tested to ensure they receive the correct fertiliser application. Many farmers have a standard practice but this may be affecting their profits hence soil sampling is good value for money. Soil needs to be in good condition to allow the free movement of air, water and nutrients and permit the development of a healthy root system.
Some vegetable and potato crops have already been planted and the apple growers are preparing to begin their spraying season.
With temperatures still varying the way they are, it is a bit early to talk about weed control in grassland but when the growing kicks in that can quickly change.
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