UK: Winter barley planting completed as at the end of November

Conditions in autumn 2013 were ideal for timely drilling and establishment of winter crops in the UK, reversing the swing to spring cropping for harvest 2013, ADAS reported on November 27.

Winter barley planting was complete as at the end of November.

Drilling of winter barley progressed largely unhindered, with most drilled within the optimum window during October, and all by the end of November. Crops established well and most are now tillering. Mild conditions until early November allowed aphids to migrate into crops and foliar insecticide were required for early sown crops or those drilled without seed treatment. Disease levels remained low during autumn, but mildew is becoming common on susceptible varieties, and rhynchosporium and net botch are present at low levels.

04 December, 2013