October Cropnotes 2010.
30th September is the day that exchange rate for the single farm payment is fixed. In the last 12 months the exchange rate has ranged between 1.06 and 1.23 Euros to the Pound. At the time of writing the rate is €1.16, or 1 euro is worth 86.3p. This means that single farm payment receipts are likely to be some 5% lower than last year due to the exchange rate.
I have recorded 73mm (2.9”) in September and in contrast to last year soils are currently too wet to work into seed beds. The warm wet conditions in September have encouraged strong emergences of blackgrass and many stale seed beds have been sprayed with glyphosate.
Where you have been unable to secure sufficient Liberator or Crystal to treat at desired dose rates then I would suggest adding Defy at between 2.0 and 4.0li/ha depending on soil type and blackgrass burden to make the Flufenacet based products go as far as possible.
Cereal crops are still emerging in approximately a week after drilling as a consequence of warm seed beds. It is probably still too warm to drill second wheats at present. October 10th is normally thought to be an optimal drilling date for second wheat crops.
Slugs have not proved to be a major problem so far this season, so bear in mind the guidelines for using metaldehyde, so that we minimise the amount of this material applied where possible.
Gout fly eggs are just being found on emerged wheat in sheltered areas. We would recommend spraying for this pest if over 30% of plants are infested. The eggs will hatch approx. 8 to 10 days after being laid when the grubs will bore into the growing points of tillers. Pyrethroid sprays need to be applied before hatching to have any effect, as once the grub is within the shoot it is inaccessible.
Oilseed Rape: Most crops have established strongly and plant numbers look adequate in most fields. Manganese deficiency can be a particular problem after establishment with subsoilers, as the soil can be left puffy, so be prepared to treat at the first signs of deficiency.
No Phoma leaf spotting has been seen yet, but treatment will probably have to be considered this month. Consider using a triazole with PGR activity if crops are very forward and thick.
Leaf miner and flea beetle damage is obvious in forward crops, even those treated with either Cruiser or Modesto. No action is required as no sign of further egg lay has been seen, so we are not expecting a further generation.
Aramo is approved for use on OSR until end of November or before the crop has 9 leaves. Some forward crops of rape may well reach 9lvs before the end of November this year.
Beans: Aim to establish 18 to 20 pl per m sq around the middle of this month. Herbicide selection depends upon the severity of blackgrass. In high blackgrass sites then pre-em Kerb +/- Centium is probably the preferred option. In lower blackgrass positions then a Nirvana + Stomp tank mix may offer broader spectrum weed control.
Home saved bean seed should be tested for stem eelworm, Aschochyta spp., germination and vigour. Get thousand grain weights done at the same time.