The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has just released a crop planting update for the UK, referencing winter wheat, winter barley and winter oilseed rape (OSR).
At the end of November, 87% of the UK’s winter wheat crop was in good/excellent condition, ahead of 84% at the same point last year. Only 1% of the crop was said to be in poor/very poor condition, and 1% had either not yet been planted or emerged.
Drilling is almost complete, with 37% of wheat being drilled in September, 55% in October, and 8% in November.
Due to the favourable weather conditions over autumn, and some early harvesting of maize and root crops, there has been a slight increase in winter wheat area plantings. Overall, the crop has established well.
With more rain over the last few weeks, there have been reports of waterlogging in some parts of the West Midlands. The window for winter planting is fast closing and some small areas may not be planted until the spring.
Due to continued high fertiliser prices, many growers will be reducing phosphorous and potassium (P&K) application.
Variable results have been recorded concerning pre-emergence herbicide applications due to dry conditions earlier in the autumn reducing activity.
The windy and wet conditions in late autumn have also delayed post-emergence herbicide applications in several regions, compromising weed control.
The wheat crop has established well so far and overall prospects look good for the season. Careful nitrogen (N) management will be required in certain areas moving forward.
Barley
As at the end of November, 92% of winter barley was in good/excellent condition, up from 90% at the same point last season.
Just 1% was in poor/very poor condition. A prompt finish to harvest meant that drilling of winter barley was all but complete by the end of October. The majority (60%) was drilled in September, 39% in October, and 1% in November.
It is understood that 89% of winter barley is now tillering.
Similar to winter wheat, mild autumn conditions have led to good crop establishment and hybrid varieties in particular are reportedly looking advanced and healthy. However, the increased rainfall of late has led to yellowing of leaves in fields experiencing water logging.
Again, as with winter wheat, due to high input costs P&K applications are being reduced. At the end of November, 89% of winter oats were in good/excellent condition, up on last year’s figure of 79%.
Drilling is nearly complete with 33% being drilled in September, 61% in October and 5% in November.
Barley crops have established well, and the earlier start to drilling has meant there are reports of some very forward crops of oats, notably in the east of England, according to the AHDB.
Oilseed rape
OSR crops were rated 77% good/excellent at the end of November, down slightly from 78% at the same point last year. Drilling of OSR was complete at the end of September, with 73% being drilled in August and 27% in September.
Generally, the crop has established well, though certain areas struggled due to the prolonged dry conditions at the end of summer, the board added.
Dry conditions prevented some early OSR drilling, which resulted in some growers changing cropping plans.
Subsequent rainfall has enabled the crop to grow fairly well, though the south east reported that an average of 10% of drilled OSR area failed either due to dry conditions or cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB).
Crops that have failed have generally been replaced by winter beans.
