Wendy Fearon

Most winter barley crops are now at flagleaf fully out to awns just visible. Because of the very poor growing conditions up until last week, this year more than ever nodes and crop height is not a good indicator alone of the plant growth stage. Due to the extremely wet winter conditions very poor roots were established and there is a real need for growth regulator. Growth stages in cereals are hugely influenced by day length. The longer days are driving ear development, and with it ear emergence.

In winter wheat the weakest part of the stem tends to be the lowest internodes and therefore growth regulation at this time maximises strengthening, in barley it is the higher internodes that are weakest. In winter barley the SELON growth regulator applied some weeks ago enhances root anchorage and tiller survival, but has little effect on controlling stem lodging. It is during the later stem extension stages and early flag leaf emergence that the maximum straw strengthening effect will be achieved. When the application is delayed beyond this timing efficacy drops off rapidly, as with each passing day the stem has already added on further length. In any event it is essential the growth regulator is applied before the awns start to appear – a late application as the awns are emerging can damage the emerging ear. The T2 fungicide program should now be planned for winter barley. Properly protecting the top three leaves and ear at T2 is critical to yield and profit – up to 80% of the yield is generated from these leaves. Foliar disease not controlled effectively at this time will hasten the senescence of these leaves during grain filling, and therefore yield and grain quality. Yet there is little point in applying any input if it does not give a financial return. To get the best return on fungicides, applying them at the correct timing is critical.

Spring Cereals

To minimise the effects of competition on the crop and optimise the level of weed control, herbicide application should be carried out once all weeds have emerged but are still small, and before they begin to compete with the crop for nutrients and light. Carrying out the weed control at the 2-4 leaf stage is much more effective especially on difficult weeds such as fumitory and knotgrass, rather than delaying to coincide with the 1^st fungicide application.

Broad leaved weeds resistant to certain herbicides in NI is not a new problem – continuous use of straight metsulfuron (ALLY) in previous years has resulted in strains of chickweed that are no longer controlled by this chemistry. Sulfonyl urea (SU) herbicides such as metsulfuron have a single mode of activity, blocking the production in many BLW of a key enzyme, acetolactate synthase. Products that use this mode of activity are known as ALS inhibiting herbicides and include the SU chemistry. ALS resistance is becoming a bigger problem with other weeds now developing this type of resistance, including mayweed and poppy. This development seems inevitable following the continued use of products with the same single mode of action, and more than ever mixtures of products with different modes of activity are essential to maintain good weed control. ALS inhibiting herbicides must therefore always be tank-mixed with another non ALS herbicide to ensure satisfactory weed control, especially of chickweed in NI.

Leatherjackets

Leatherjacket numbers are very high this year with widespread damage seen in recent weeks to new leys  and established grass swards particularly in the west of the province. Damage will become evident as spring crops emerge, leaves and whole plants yellowing, cut off just below ground level. Crow activity is also a sure sign of leatherjackets being active. Crops most at risk are those drilled into old ley or dirty stubble, but monitor all emerging crops closely for signs damage. Feeding activity and therefore the likelihood of damage will increase as soils continue to warm as the leatherjacket continues to feed for some weeks yet before hatching out in late May / early June.

Growth Manipulation

Since tillers are a critical component of yield and tiller numbers decline the later the crop is drilled, it is important that these crops be encouraged to tiller to improve yield potential. Because of the more rapid progression through the growth stages than the winter crop, the growth regulator must be applied very early to maximise the suppression of the main stem development (apical dominance) and therefore divert nutrients and growth to promote tiller development. Optimum timing for barley is from the 2 expanded leaf stage to beginning of tillering, GS12–21; in wheat the optimum timing is slightly later, 5 leaf to mid tillering, GS15-24.

SELON is the only chlormequat product approved for use on spring barley. Because an early application suppresses the main stem development and so diverts the growing efforts to the tillers, this extra growing effort also increases root development in the plant,  improving crop establishment, stem base lodging (not brackling) and yield. This treatment also gives a consistent straw shortening effect in wheat, but not in barley.

Soil structure is a much neglected aspect of grassland management. Water availability can be a prime limiting factor in grass growth. Either too little or too much cause’s restriction in output and corrective action may be needed. An assessment of the soil type, structure, should be made in order to identify and rectify any problems at an early stage. It is important to maintain a good firm, well-drained soil. Land should be sub soiled if compaction occurs and gateways and bare areas should be patched up. Heavy machinery should not be used in wet or waterlogged fields. When working the land continuously using heavy forage equipment, try and use different wheeling’s to avoid localised compaction, which is difficult to correct. It is also important not to allow poaching by grazing stock in wet conditions.

Fields should be tested regularly to check the pH and nutrient status of the soil. Although this may seem costly it is money well spent .It is advisable for optimum production and should be carried out at least every 3 years. The optimum pH for good grass and clover growth is 6-6.5.If the pH falls below 6, lime should be applied. If the pH is not corrected, the fertilizer applied will not give their optimum performance.

All growing crops require nutrients throughout the growing season. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient and is responsible for protein production as well as producing chlorophyll within the grass. Phosphate is important for the development of roots and tiller survival. Potash is involved in a number of functions including protein production and the efficiency of photosynthesis. Too much potash will suppress the uptake of magnesium in cattle and sheep causing “grass staggers” (hypomagnesaemia).It is therefore important that potash is not applied before spring grazing. The amount of potash required is determined by soil type; clay soils having greater available soil reserves than sandy soils.

It is now time to assess the presence of weeds in the sward and choose the correct product to control the problem.

Cow parsley is becoming an increasing problem weed it will grow in sunny to semi-shaded locations in fields and at the edges of hedgerows and woodland. It is a particularly common sight by the roadside. It is sufficiently common and fast-growing to be considered a nuisance weed. Cow parsley’s ability to grow rapidly through rhizomes and to produce large quantities of seeds in a single growing season has made it an invasive species in many areas of Northern Ireland. GRAZON PRO will give very good control of cow parsley.

DOCKS

Although grass growth has been reasonably good and weeds seem to be at their optimum timing I would hold off spraying until day and night conditions are consistent. Hopefully conditions over the next few weeks will provide an opportunity to get a start made to weed control. As thoughts turn to silaging, treating dock-ridden leys with DOXSTARPRO four weeks before cutting will significantly increase the amount of grass that ends up in the clamp and improve silage quality. Docks have much less feed value than grass and pull down dry matter. FOREFRONT T is the most effective herbicide available to grassland farmers for the control of docks, ragwort, chickweed, thistles, dandelions, nettles and buttercups. It is the longest lasting weed control product in grassland to date with a single well timed spray giving up to 18 months control so whilst it may appear expensive it really is good value for money.

Once the established docks have been controlled it is best to keep the problem under control with follow-up treatments every year. This controls new growth of seedling docks that will reappear because all that is required for dormant seeds to germinate is a gap in the sward caused by poaching or tractor marks.

No dock spray will give complete control with a single application – effective dock control requires a programmed approach, follow-up applications to deal with docks and germinating seed docks not controlled in the first treatment. Long term control can only be achieved using a sequence of applications of a translocated herbicide because of the potential for regrowth both from roots and the seed bank built up in the ground over the years.

In fertile soils, the dock root system consists of a large tap root with a highly branched mass of smaller fibrous roots. This means what appears to be a small dock plant above ground may in fact be growing from a large rooting system below ground. In order to achieve effective herbicide application docks should be at the rosette stage, with foliage8-10 inches high or across. If grass has been cut or grazed a period of three weeks must occur to allow sufficient regrowth and a suitable target for spraying. If applying FOREFRONT T, DOXSTARPRO or PASTOR, livestock should be kept out of treated areas for 7 days before grazing and until the foliage of any poisonous weeds has died and become unpalatable

Where clover is important SQUIRE ULTRAmay be applied.

THISTLE

The Creeping Thistle is a perennial which grows from seed or from root sections in the soil.  Once established the root mass can be greater than the plant above ground hence competing effectively with the grass. The Spear (Buck or Scotch) thistle is a biennial plant which grows from seed. In the first year it produces a small rosette, and then in the second year the plant can grow to over 1 metre in diameter and height. Thistles are common on older swards, those low in phosphate and nitrogen but high in potash. These conditions are more typical of beef and sheep farms. As with the Docks, good chemical control requires spraying at the right stage i.e. when the majority of plants are at the full rosette stage, just as stem elongation begins. However because of the wider range of growth stages of a population of thistles at a point in time, not all will be at the right stage at the right time. Topping thistles stops seed spread but not root spread.THISTLEX may be applied which will give a high degree of root kill or alternatively LUPO or MCPA may be applied which will give good control of top growth but limited root kill. Where clover is an important constituent of the sward SPRUCE should be applied.

RAGWORT

Never before has ragwort been such a problem on Northern   Ireland farms, especially in lower fertility situations. Ragwort contains alkaloids which are poisonous to all livestock. It is a biennial plant i.e. it grows from seed the first season to produce a rosette plant, and then the following season it produces a flowering stem, seeds, and then dies. Each plant can produce up to 150,000 seed with a 70% germination rate and seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to 20 years.

Whilst ragwort is unpalatable when it is green, it becomes extremely palatable once sprayed or ensiled. First year plants are now at the rosette stage, the ideal growth stage for effective control. A single application of weed killer is unlikely to completely eliminate a ragwort infestation and a follow up treatment will have to be made. When the plant is already in flower treatment is less effective and seeds will already have been set for the following year.LUPO may be applied as part of a programmed approach. FOREFRONTT is also very effective on ragwort.

CHICKWEED

There are 2 types of chickweed, common chickweed which is the most commonly found type, with a smooth leaf and mouse-eared chickweed which has a larger leaf than common, with a very hairy surface on the leaf & stem. Chickweed levels have built up very quickly this spring as this weed grows at lower temperatures than grass, and should be treated as soon as possible to avoid choking out the young grass. Similarly, established swards that have been poached by autumn grazing tend to be very open in the early spring and this allows chickweed a chance to become a problem. Chickweed can mature and produce seed in 5-6 weeks hence there can be several generations in a year. Mouse-eared chickweed is very common on many local farms and it is important to note the distinct differences and treatments.

PASTOR applied at 2lt/ha, and DOXSTAR applied at 1lt/ha, will control both types of chickweed. They are reliable when used in cool, early spring conditions and neither will check the growth of immature grass plants but are not clover safe.

CLOVER SWARDS

Where clover is part of the mixture then a clover safe product must be used.

TRIAD is an SU type herbicide that is safe to clover when used correctly. As well as controlling a wide range of BLW’s TRIAD gives excellent control on chickweed. It will also control seedling docks (not those regrowing from roots), but has no effect on thistles or buttercup. Add SPRUCE to bring in control of these weeds also.

It is extremely difficult to achieve satisfactory control once weeds get beyond the seedling (young plant) stage. Clover content of the sward needs to be higher than is often appreciated. As a rule of thumb there should be 10 plants per square metre at the start of the season. Where plant populations are below this level it is more important to focus on other aspects and be prepared to treat the field as a grass only crop. High levels of nitrogen will significantly reduce clover growth, but by reducing nitrogen inputs overall forage yield will be reduced.

SILAGE

To ensure a well fermented silage sufficient fertiliser must be applied at the correct time for intended cutting dates. On average allow one day’s growth for each 2-3 units of nitrogen between application and cutting. The younger the grasses the higher the feed value but the lower its yield. In general aim to cut before 50% of the ears have emerged to gain as much yield as possible. Short chopping speeds up fermentation and aids consolidation ensuring not to cut too short as long fibre is required for rumen function. Where conditions allow fast wilting in good weather this will increase the concentration of sugars and reduce effluent production. Hopefully the weather will be kind and some quality silage will be made in the coming weeks.

With temperatures rising, days getting longer and top dressings kicking in, crops are starting to come away, especially those on drier soils. Soil temperatures have not dropped as low as usual with the milder winter and therefore the early start to growth comes as no surprise and is encouraging in terms of building yield. Unlike autumn 2012, autumn 2013 allowed most of the winter barley crop and a considerable share of winter wheat to receive a herbicide treatment in the autumn with mixtures of Crystal and Sempra widely used. Performance has been excellent and therefore fewer crops are requiring treatment this spring.

Winter Barley GS30 – GS31

All crops have completed tillering, with the most forward fields past 1^st node, GS31. Most are looking well considering the wet conditions over the winter. There are good plant counts and tiller numbers, but the mild winter means disease is already well established on these young plants with Rhyncho, mildew and net blotch showing in all.  Rhyncho remains the most damaging disease of barley, seriously damaging yield potential if not controlled quickly and effectively.

Winter Wheat GS22 – GS30

Growth stages vary widely depending on drilling date but most are at various stages of tillering. Most have good plant numbers but some fields have suffered from poor seedbeds, waterlogging, slug and leatherjacket damage. As temperatures rise slugs and leatherjackets are still a threat to more backward crops and should be treated if any new damage is seen. Septoria is established in all crops but particularly so in earlier drilled fields.

Disease Control

Timing of fungicide applications and rates used are every bit as critical as product choice to achieve the maximum potential response. To ensure the main disease programme persists right through to ripening, it is essential farmers do not apply their main T1 fungicide application before about the middle of April, with the T2 and T3 applications following at 4-5week intervals, ie mid-May and mid-June. This T1 timing should coincide with the beginning of stem extension between 1^st and 2^nd node, GS31-32.

Holding the T1 timing to GS31-32 should ensure T2 in barley and T2 & T3 in wheat be optimally timed to avoid extended gaps, maintaining persistency right up to and during senescence. Where a crop has not received a T0 treatment product rates at T1 will need to be increased to take account of this.

Since their introduction, fungicide programmes containing SDHIs, or succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors have consistently out-performed triazole only programmes. These are the newest family of chemistry available to cereal growers and now considered the mainstay of disease control programmes. They work by inhibiting fungal respiration and are more effective at controlling a range of diseases than older products, particularly as the performance of triazoles continue to decline each year. However SDHIs only have this single mode of action and therefore resistance and the associated breakdown in control is a very real threat to these products. To try and prevent resistance building up against the SDHIs, they must be used only twice in a season and in conjunction with another fungicide, such as a triazole, with a different mode of action.

The first SDHI launched was boscalid from BASF back in 2004. After a gap of some years then a second generation of SDHIs have come to the market in recent years, with Syngenta’s izopyrazam launched in 2010, Bayer’s bixafen launched in 2011, and BASF’s fluxapyroxad in 2012. Last year DuPont launched penthiopyrad as a straight called VERTISAN and also as a mix with chlorothalonil called TREORIS and AYLORA in March 2013.

Of the SDHI products available, penthiopyrad (in AYLORA) is the most effective performer on both Septoria and Rhyncho, being as strong preventatively as bixafen and fluxapyroxad but stronger curatively. Boscalid (in WHISTLE/CHORD) remains the strongest active available to control Eyespot and therefore the best option for use on wheat at T1.

Prothioconazole and epoxiconazole continue to be the strongest triazoles available in wheat but are now consistently outperformed by the co-form products PROSARO and BRUTUS every time. Prothioconazole on the other hand is the clear leader controlling Rhyncho in barley.

Whilst the strobilurins now contribute little to Septoria control, they still perform well on Rusts and the late ear diseases on wheat, and on Rhyncho and net blotch on barley. Pyraclostrobin (COMET) is the strongest of the strobilurins and an excellent mixer with most other fungicides.

Chlorothalonil remains a strong Septoria protectant as well as its multi-site activity being essential to manage resistance. Limited to two applications, best timing continues to be T1 and T2.

The T1 treatment in oats should be applied at the same time as the growth regulator. Whilst traditionally a single fungicide program was often used on this crop, a 2-spray program consistently outperforms a single spray in terms of yield, bushel-weight and profitability.

CAPALO is the strongest T1 treatment available in oats, giving excellent curative activity on Crown Rust and Mildew when applied at 1^st–2^nd node (GS31-32), and is very persistent keeping new growth clean right up to full flag leaf (GS39) when the T2 is applied.

Weed Control

While most crops received a herbicide treatment in the autumn, for those still to be treated, control of Annual Meadow Grass (AMG) is the most pressing issue. OTHELLO is an excellent option for AMG in wheat into the spring, however there is no similar late option for barley. None of the autumn products will control AMG beyond the mid tillering stage, yet they are the only AMG options for barley. Therefore any barley not yet sprayed must be done as a matter of urgency if satisfactory control of AMG is to be achieved.Note that OTHELLO will only control AMG that has already emerged; unlike the autumn products it has no pre-emergent activity.

The incidence of brome infestations is becoming more common. Where this weed has become a problem, a sequenced approach is the only really effective way of controlling the weed, ie an autumn treatment followed up with a spring treatment. CRYSTAL at 4lt/ha in the autumn is the first part, and can be applied to wheat and barley. The follow-up then in the spring is BROADWAY STAR but note this product can only be used on wheat. There is no follow-up product available for barley and therefore in a severe infestation situation, only wheat allows effective control.To avoid crop damage, do not spray any crop under stress. Note that performance of some wild oat/brome herbicides can be adversely affected by other herbicides used on the crop. To avoid these antagonisms, a minimum time interval must elapse between application of the BLW herbicide application and this application.

Growth regulation

When applied before 1^st node, GS31, application of certain chlormequat growth regulators can significantly increase tiller numbers. Chlormequat works by suppressing apical dominance, ie main stem development. In doing so it diverts the plant’s resources into producing and supporting more tillers. Particularly in wheat but in barley also, more tillers will go a long way towards compensating for low plant counts, ultimately increasing yield.

Correct timing is critical to maximise this effect. The earlier it is applied during tillering the greater the tiller effect, but note early application to increase tiller numbers will also reduce its effect on lodging. Application of a chlormequat based growth regulator often goes on with a T1 fungicide application sometime around 1^st-2^nd node, GS31-32. At this timing it is too late to affect tiller numbers and survival but will maximise the stem stiffening effect.

Early application will also increase root growth and so reduce stem-base lodging. Stem-base lodging is where the plant folds over at the soil surface as a result of poor anchorage in the soil, and is caused by poor root ball development, more likely when the seedling develops in wet soils that limit root development. All winter crops have rooted very shallow this season as a result of the persistently wet conditions and therefore stem-base lodging is likely to be a significant problem later this season.

The rates of use, label timings and tank-mix flexibility for SELON are identical to ADJUST. SELON can be tank-mixed with the herbicide and where the crop has begun to tiller, should be applied now.

Nutrient Deficiency

A combination of waterlogged soils, plants already suffering from restricted nutrient uptake and plants now trying to grow is showing up Mn deficiency in many barley crops. Continuous cereal ground and ground recently limed is most prone to deficiency. Symptoms begin with small pale green speckles appearing throughout the leaf and these will progress to turn brown unless treated.

As soon as the ground allows, Mn deficiency should be addressed and applied as soon possible along with the SELON application to increase tiller numbers.

Copper deficiency often accompanies Mn deficiency – its symptoms are complete browning of the leaf tip especially the youngest leaves, and apparent wilting of the plant. Treatment will be most effective if treated immediately symptoms are seen.

With air quality significantly improving over the last two decades, the most important source of sulphur to the soil coming from the pollutant gas sulphur dioxide has also reduced significantly. Whilst its deficiency is now being recognised  and corrected on grassland through the application of high sulphur compound fertilisers, its impact in cereal crops in NI  has by and large been misidentified or overlooked. After nitrogen, phosphate and potash, sulphur is the next most important element required by all crops, used to make essential sulphur containing amino acids and proteins in all plants. Soil sulphur is easily leached especially from light to medium soils, making shallow-rooting plants particularly vulnerable to deficiency. Deficiency causes paling in the cereal plant, caused by a reduction in chlorophyll production and even in the absence of any symptoms, decreased efficiency of nitrogen utilisation. Whilst often mistaken for lack of nitrogen, sulphur is not very mobile within the crop and therefore deficiency is most pronounced on the younger leaves; the opposite to nitrogen deficiency which affects the oldest leaves first. Crops of both wheat and barley with high yield potential are particularly responsive to one to two applications of foliar sulphur at the timings of rapid growth.

Welcome to the first crop crack of 2014.

Growers should be making the best of this quieter time to assess the performance of last season’s crops and plan for the incoming season. Fields which are going to be cropped early should be identified and an up to date soil analysis carried out. Routine machinery maintenance should be carried out at this time of year to prevent unnecessary breakdowns during the busy season. All sprayers should be thoroughly checked to ensure all pipes and pumps are fully functional.

HEDGEROW CONTROL

Season long control of grasses and most broad-leaved weeds is possible by applying Kerb Granules at this time. Kerb is a pre- and post-emergence residual herbicide for the control of annual and perennial grasses and a wide range of other weeds in farm and commercial forestry, ornamental plantings and recreation areas.   Propyzamid, the active ingredient in Kerb, works by inhibiting cell division, disrupting the growth process and leading to eventual death of the plant.  Kerb can be applied to all soil types, therefore allowing its use in many areas where weed control is needed.  Kerb is the ideal herbicide for forestry and woodland (including farm forestry), ornamental shrubberies and rose beds, hedges, fence lines and gravel pathways.  Kerb requires soil moisture for root uptake to take place. Kerb Granules are mobile in the soil profile and therefore the best results will be achieved when applying in cooler conditions, usually between October and February. If warm, dry conditions prevail after application then weed control may be reduced. Although Kerb can be applied in all weather conditions, application on top of snow, or to severely frozen ground should be avoided if there is any risk of surface run-off.

VERMIN CONTROL

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 Secure 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.

The cereal acreage in the ground to date  is the highest seen for some time but the  recent heavy rainfall has slowed down winter wheat drilling and autumn herbicide application.  Slug populations were high throughout the summer and remain so, posing a threat to all crops especially with the current mild damp conditions.  Early drilling of winter wheat dramatically increases the risk of take-all following cereal situations. Therefore a seed treatment is advisable.  BYDV is a disease carried by aphids and passed into the crop when they feed on the young plants as they emerge through the ground – once infected the disease cannot be controlled.  Grassy stubbles and volunteer cereal plants act as host plants for aphids.  If a seed treatment has not been applied an application of Sumi-Alpha should be applied from the two leaf stage of the crop.

Annual meadow grass is the main target weed in NI as this weed is the most damaging to yield in all cereal crops. The key to good herbicide control is early timing –  before or soon after emergence of the crop.  This season with the dry warm conditions pre-em products have not performed as well as expected.  Residual herbicide product persistency depends very much on damp soils and cooler temperatures. Scorch has also been an issue with high soil and air temperatures in some crops this autumn.

The last two seasons have enabled us to learn more about the autumn herbicides when used beyond their recommended timing.  After two very wet autumns, much of the flufenacet in CRYSTAL and chlortoluron(CTU) in BUCKLER was applied well after the optimum timing. Crystal applied onto barley crops at the 3-4 lt rate per ha performed extremely well on well tillered annual meadow grass (AMG).  The inclusion of BUCKLER in the mix will control larger AMG but there is varietal restriction.  Sempra has been widely used this autumn in mix with Crystal to strengthen the spectrum of BLW control where weeds are through the ground.  Most of the herbicides that are effective on AMG are not safe on oats, making grass weed control in this crop particularly difficult.  In recent years LEXUS CLASS has been the principle product used and does a reasonable job when conditions and timings are optimal.  SUMIMAX is now another alternative but is an off label approval(EAMU) for use on winter oats.  It gives improved AMG activity over LEXUS CLASS and has excellent broad spectrum BLW activity including groundsel and fumitory but must be used pre-emergence of the crop.  Othello will be widely used again this spring onto winter wheat crops. In known deficient soils, manganese should be applied during November. Treatment of the condition before deficiency symptoms are seen will mean stronger healthier plants going through to spring.

There have been several blight warnings recently and it is important not to stretch spray intervals at this critical time. A fair acreage of land has been reseeded this season and combines have been busy in many areas over recent weeks but this week it has been a bit stop start.  I would urge all farmers to assess both land intended for reseeding and winter cereals to monitor for slugs as numbers are greater than they have been for some years.  Treated seed is a priority if slugs are present. I would like to impress on you the need to carry out soil samples at this time to ensure all nutrients will be readily available to the growing crop.

Grassland Weed Control

Ragwort is appearing in many grass situations at present and is becoming a greater problem especially in lower fertility situations; it is an ‘injurious weed’ and is not permitted to grow unchecked.  Ragwort is a biennial plant i.e. it grows from seed the first season to produce a rosette plant and then the following season it will produce a flowering stem, produce seed then die.  Ragwort contains alkaloids which are poisonous to all livestock except sheep. Each plant can produce up to 150,000 seed with a 70% germination rate and seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to 20 years. Treatment of plants, which are at the rosette stage now, can be very effective and an autumn application allows a check on the efficacy of the treatment to be made in early spring before allocating fields for silage or hay.  Autumn is a good time to spray as the grass growth slows down and grass utilization and withdrawal periods are not as critical as they can be in the spring time when stock are turned out. Whilst ragwort is unpalatable when it is green it becomes extremely palatable once sprayed. It is important to remove as much of the root as possible; ragwort can regenerate like docks from its root fragments.  A single application of weed killer is unlikely to completely eliminate a ragwort infestation due to overlapping generations of the weed. A follow up treatment should be made in the spring. Forefrot gives the most reliable control of ragwort, or alternatively,  Lupo + Fortune wetter also shows useful activity

Docks are a particular problem in intensively managed grassland, especially where seeds are spread through slurry applications or poaching has occurred. Docks look unsightly, but more importantly, can reduce the grass yield and productivity. Early autumn is often overlooked as a potential time to achieve effective dock control.  At this time the dock plant will revert back to vegetative growth.  During vegetative growth the plant food being produced in the leaf is moved into the root for storage. Translocated herbicides are moved through the plant along with the food, hence if they are applied at this stage more product will end up in the root giving better root control.

Where clover is not considered important sprays based on the chemicals fluroxypyr, triclopyr or dicamba/mecoprop mixtures should be used. If clovers are an important component of the sward Squire Ultra may be used .Remember in most circumstances treatment is most effective where a second application takes place within a 12 month period.

Chickweed is an annual weed and seeds will germinate at any time of year but particularly in autumn when growing without competition from other plants. Common chickweed can produce approximately 800 seeds and it takes 7 to 8 years for the seed bank (supply of viable seeds in soil) to be 95% depleted, insuring an infestation for many years. Because of its ability to produce large numbers of seeds under cool temperatures, common chickweed rapidly colonizes any cool, moist area before winter or spring crops can become competitive.

Potatoes

Growers should continue to maintain fungicide protection of the haulm until the crop is harvested or the haulm is 100% desiccated. Timely desiccation is an essential part of good seed and ware production. Diquat is the most widely used farmer applied chemical desiccant .The rate of haulm desiccation is slow and therefore fungicide protection should continue after application. Even after two split applications of Reglone certain varieties of potatoes are difficult to burn off completely and be certain no regrowth will appear. Spotlight Plus is a desiccant recommended for use after a 7 day interval as a follow up T2 treatment to the T1 application of Reglone and gives complete kill of any stems remaining and stolons below the ground but it is poor on leaves.

The drought during July has caused rapid senescence on many winter wheat and spring barley crops. Some winter wheat crops have been harvested. In order to ensure harvested crops are kept free from pests,stores need to be thoroughly cleaned to ensure any debris that may be harbouring pests is removed.Pests arise from within the store and not from harvested grain.  Reldan 22 can be applied to empty stores to combat grain store pests.

Autumn planning

The heavy rainfall will bring slugs back up onto the soil surface and there will certainly be a need to assess numbers for autumn planting.   An easy way to trap is to use dry food such as breakfast cereal (muesli) or similar and place a tablespoon under a slate or fertiliser bag.  Traps should be checked early in the morning approximately two days after being placed in the field.  Slugs don’t like fine firm seedbeds so good cultivation can reduce the risk of damage as can deeper sowing. There are also some cereal seed treatments which can protect seed hollowing by slugs but damage to shoots remain a threat.  BYDV and wireworm protection can be given in seed treatment as well as take-all and autumn foliar diseases.

Potatoes

The risk of blight remains high with great variations in particular areas due to localised showers.  To try and keep crops free from blight where pressure is severe requires short intervals appropriate for high risk and also the use of fungicide products with curative activity.  Fungicides with good rainfastness will be very beneficial given the current spells of heavy rain, especially because it’s been difficult to accurately predict the timing and location of showers.

Propionic Acid

Propionic acid has an energy value of 1.5 times that of barley so as well as preserving the grain it also adds to its energy value. With Propionic treatment, harvesting can take place when there is still surface dampness on the grain, dew or rain. Harvesting can start earlier in the morning or after rain and continue later at night, giving a quicker more flexible harvest, which leaves extra time for autumn cultivations. By harvesting before grain is fully ‘ripe’ a higher yield is also obtained, reduced shedding losses may save 200kg per hectare.

Natural vitamin E levels in moist grain, whether treated or not, are destroyed during storage. When moist grain forms a major part of the diet a mineral/vitamin supplement high in vitamin E should be used.

Treated grain can be stored simply on a dry floor. It should not be stored with untreated grain.

APPLICATION  RATES

The localised heavy showers last week have taken their toll on all crops. Some winter barley crops have been harvested over the last few days with yields yet to be reported .Premature senescence of winter wheat, oats and spring barley will see harvest earlier than expected in these crops. Potato and veg crops are now growing well.

Potatoes

Where crops have reached the end of rapid haulm growth and canopy growth has begun to stabilize good protection may be achieved with fungicides such as Invader, Infinito, Ranman and Revus. OPTION which is straight cymoxinil may be tank mixed with any of these products to achieve better kickback. Curzate has good curative activity and may be tank mixed if the spray interval is stretched. Where crops are at full canopy growers must pay very close attention to ensure water volumes, spray pressure and nozzle selection are correct to maximize spray penetration of the haulms and reduce spray drift.

Cereals – Pre-Harvest Treatment

Most winter barley crops have now been dessicated . The cold wet winter and spring made effective weed control very difficult to achieve, allowing grasses and broad-leaved weeds to come back into crops. Therefore a lot of green material is present in many crops. Add to this the presence of slower ripening secondary tillers bringing green straw and green pickles, the pre harvest application of glyphosate will continue to be a critical tool to assist the efficiency of harvesting this season.Note however, do not use glyphosate on any crops where the harvested grain may be used in the future as seed. Whilst most of the generic glyphosate products are based on an isopropylamine salt plus ethoxylated tallow amine surfactant (ETA formulations), ROUNDUP ENERGY is a potassium salt formulation of higher concentration with a completely different type of surfactant – ie a completely different product with different rates of use and different characteristics in the field.

And even the ETA formulations are not the same; the level of surfactant is not declared and varies between products from as low as 9% up to 16% inclusion rates, meaning variability in performance here also. Putting less in obviously means less cost to produce, but also less effective in the field.

The potassium salt is taken up significantly faster than the IPA salt; as a result ROUNDUP ENERGY is rainfast within 1 hour of application and cultivation can commence as soon as 2 days after application whereas the ETA glyphosate products need a minimum of 6 hours to be rainfast and 5 days minimum before cultivating.

Timing of application

Application should be made once the grain moisture gets down to 30% or below, ideally 10-14 days (and not less than 7 days) before cutting. An easy and reliable test to estimate this 30% moisture level is to press the thumbnail into a number of grains; if the indentation holds on all the grains the crop is ready for spraying.

Where a pre-harvest treatment is not made, it may prove necessary to spray the stubble later to control scutch. As temperatures drop later in the season and conditions become more marginal, ROUNDUP ENERGY is the only effective means of controlling scutch into the back end. It should not be applied until the scutch has at least 6 inches of new growth – the more green leaf that is present at application then the more glyphosate that will be taken into the roots and therefore the better the kill will be.

Propionic Acid Treatment

As harvest begins the most widely used grain preservative, Propionic acid, will be in demand. Propionic acid when applied to moist grain prevents moulds and bacterial activity. It also prevents deterioration, loss of dry matter, nutrition loss and removes the associated health hazard to grain handlers, livestock and the end user.

One tonne of Propionic acid on 100 tonnes of grain gives an additional energy value equivalent to 1.5 tonnes of barley. Therefore as well as preserving the grain it adds significantly to its energy value. The use of Propionic gives the grower greater flexibility at harvest, especially if the grain has a higher than desirable moisture content. If the weather is inclement at harvest Propionic acid offers a sense of security to the grower through its flexible application rates.Over the last few years the benefits of increased starch in the diet of dairy cows have been shown. The most noticeable is the improvement in milk protein percentage, resulting from the breakdown of starch in the rumen to Propionic acid. In order to take advantage of the benefits of increased cereal feeding and the inherent cost benefits, many farmers are making use of home grown cereals in a number of ways: whole crop wheat, maize silage, crimped cereals, dried grain or rolled moist grain. However one of the main problems arising from this increased storage and use of home grown cereals is the growth of moulds and the subsequent development of mycotoxins. Propimax is pure Propionic acid, a natural organic acid, which also occurs in the animal’s digestive system. It halts all mould growth when applied to moist grain.If a product can be augered it can be treated – barley, wheat, oats, maize, peas – whole or rolled it makes no difference.

Propionic acid has an energy value of 1.5 times that of barley so as well as preserving the grain it also adds to its energy value. With Propionic acid treatment, harvesting can take place when there is still surface dampness on the grain, dew or rain. Harvesting can start earlier in the morning or after rain and continue later at night, giving a quicker more flexible harvest, which leaves extra time for autumn cultivations. By harvesting before grain is fully ‘ripe’ a higher yield is also obtained, reduced shedding losses may save 200kg per hectare.

Natural vitamin E levels in moist grain, whether treated or not, are destroyed during storage. When moist grain forms a major part of the diet a mineral/vitamin supplement high in vitamin E should be used.

Propionic treated grain can be stored simply on a dry floor. It should not be stored with untreated grain.

Propionic Acid application Rates

Timing of application

Application should be made once the grain moisture gets down to 30% or below,  ideally 10-14 days (and not less than 7 days) before cutting.  An easy and reliable test to estimate this 30% moisture level is to press the thumbnail into a number of grains; if the indentation holds on all the grains the crop is ready for spraying.

Where a pre-harvest treatment is not made, it may prove necessary to spray the stubble later to control scutch.  As temperatures drop later in the season and conditions become more marginal, ROUNDUP ENERGY is the only effective means of controlling scutch into the back end.   It should not be applied until the scutch has at least 6 inches of new growth – the more green leaf that is present at application then the more glyphosate that will be taken into the roots and therefore the better the kill will be.

Grain Store Hygiene

Now is the time to make grain stores ready for the coming harvest.  Pest problems in stored grain arise from within the store itself, so a good clean-out is essential to minimise the carry-over of grain beetles, weevils and mites. The store should be empty and thoroughly cleaned before any treatment is carried out,  removing all traces of grain and dust that might harbour insects or mites.

Apply using a knapsack to spray all surfaces including underside of roof and floor, concentrating especially on areas where dust can collect – cracks, light fittings, around equipment etc.

Grassland Weed Control

Weeds are directly competitive with grass and in many cases reduce the nutritional value of the sward.   Annual weeds are most commonly a problem in getting a reseed established but thankfully few persist once the sward has been grazed or cut.   The most common weed that this does not happen with is common chickweed.  Chickweed will reduce dry matter and slows wilting.  Redshank is also present in almost all reseeds and those fields which contain clover yet have a chickweed and redshank infestation may be treated with Triad.  Docks are a perennial weed and have large leaves and substantial tap roots which they can readily regrow if defoliated.  Docks thrive in high nitrogen conditions and along with chickweed need to be treated every year to ensure good control.

Where possible weed infested grass fields should be treated as soon as possible.   Forefront, Doxstar and Pastor will give good control of docks but will not check the growth the grass but are not safe to clover. Use high water volumes to ensure good coverage i.e. 300-400lt/ha.  Gorse should be sprayed now.   Use Grazon 90 and ensure good plant coverage using a knapsack or hand lance on a tractor mounted sprayer.  Bracken should be sprayed late July or August when it is in full frond. (When leaves are expanded).   Use Asulox and again ensure good coverage via a knapsack and where a conventional tractor sprayer is being used to treat large areas, use high water volumes at least 400l/ha.