Research shows that this has a detrimental impact on yield, as energy is wasted on tillers that do not survive until harvest, which otherwise contribute to grain yield. This stress can also induce Ramularia, and with the recent loss of chlorothalonil, will be a harder disease to control down the road. Tillers are beginning to yellow, but this should green up again with warmer temperatures as it takes up mineralised nitrogen from the soil. A very low rate of Nitrogen applied in February can encourage backward crops to keep their tillers, maximising yield potential. Winter wheat crops are currently at GS 23, with the more vigorous varieties advancing to GS 24. The vernalisation period has passed, with the recent below-zero temperatures also reducing aphid activity. It should be noted that aphid eggs are extremely cold-tolerant, enabling them to over-winter and provide for a population of both winged and non-winged aphids at flowering. When weather permits, a herbicide application will be needed, contact your local Drummonds agronomists for further advice on this. Winter oats are becoming leggy, with the recent cold spells slowing growth, which is certainly welcome.

Oilseed rape crops in the North-East have been heavily grazed by pigeons, particularly in mid-January. However, plant counts remain intact, varying between 30 - 50 plants/m2. Oilseed rape has an excellent recovery ability, and will not be significantly affected by this grazing. In February, take a GAI (Green Area Index) score of your crop to assess for canopy size and subsequently, tailor crop nitrogen. A GAI of 1 – 1.5 in February is the target. Drummonds team of agronomists can provide further information on this. Taking control of your canopy size now is important, to achieve the optimum GAI index of 3.5 at flowering. This maximises yield potential, with the aim of achieving 100,000 seeds/ m2. In terms of weed control, volunteer cereals and grass weeds are prevalent where a pre-emergence spray such as Butisan S was avoided. A graminicide such as Falcon should be used in these situa- tions. Kerb Flo provides excellent grassweed control. For broadleaf weed control, Salsa has a broad spectrum of activity and should be used during active weed growth. Latest stage of application is at the 8-leaf stage.