Spring cropping
Nutrition vital in light of soil conditions
Many autumn crops were drilled in less than ideal conditions – or not at all.
Big switch to spring cropping
follows ‘wettest ever’ autumn • Biggest spring barley area for 30 years • 170,000ha decline in winter wheat area • Tight seed supply limits spring options
A
big swing swing towards spring cropping is on the cards with growers un- able to get winter cereals in the ground due to prolonged wet weather.
It follows a 170,000ha drop in the area of winter wheat. Only 1.65m ha of winter wheat are expected to be grown during 2019/20 compared to 1.82m ha the season before, according to provisional figures from the Ag- riculture and Horticulture Devel- opment Board. The AHDB’s Early Bird Sur- vey provides a snapshot of farm- ers’ intentions for winter and spring crops. It suggests the win- ter barley area may also drop to 398,000ha – some 12% lower than the 452,000ha planted for har- vest 2019.
Initial survey results were published on 25 November. But persistent wet weather since then means the AHDB will rerun the survey in the coming weeks to en- sure it reflects the latest inten- tions of growers as winter pro- gresses and conditions change. AHDB analyst Alice Bailey said: “The unprecedented weath-
er has led to a winter planting season unlike any before. There are significant swings in crop ar- eas after the autumn deluge, as growers switch to spring crops in an attempt to sow in better con- ditions.”
“
Unprecedented weather has led to a winter planting season unlike any before
This survey shows a swing
towards spring cropping, with growers intending to plant 28% more spring barley at 915,000ha – the biggest amount since 1988. But that will depend on seed availability and cost, with some growers opting for wheat instead. The area of spring and win- ter oats is expected to increase again for 2020 harvest to some 200,000ha. This represents a 10% increase on last harvest but again the final figure could change as winter progresses.
It remains to be seen how many fields with crops under wa- ter for prolonged periods are re- drilled – boosting spring cropping
area further still. While that will be the favoured option for some growers, others may prefer to tough it out and salvage what they can from waterlogged soil. The annual survey – carried out for the AHDB by the Ander- sons Centre, the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) and other agronomists – is seen as the first proper assess- ment of national cropping for the coming harvest.
Oilseed rape It includes crops in the ground, winter crops still to be sown through December and January and intentions for spring plant- ings. Availability of seed for sale is expected to be tight – especial- ly for more popular varieties – al- though some growers have home- saved supplies.
The survey confirms a further
decline in the oilseed rape area, which is down 23% year-on-year to 406,000ha. This is largely due to growers cutting back on the area grown in response to crop damage and yield risk caused by cabbage stem flea beetle. Ms Bailey said: “If there is fur- ther damage to crops over the coming weeks due to bad weath- er or pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape, we may see further changes to these areas as we head through the winter.”
Less than ideal soil conditions are prompting reminders for growers to prioritise cereal crop nutrition this spring following a challeng- ing autumn and winter. Nutrition may be the last thing on growers’ minds, says FMC plant health commercial technical manager Chris Bond. But nutrient availability could be impacting the development and yields of winter crops in the ground and spring crops due to be drilled in the coming months. “Important nutrients, such
as nitrogen, sulphur and mag- nesium, will be leaching away,” he says. “Phosphorus, copper and zinc, which are vital for root devel- opment and cold tolerance, will be unavailable to the plant.” This means it is more impor- tant than ever to ensure nutrition is correct coming out of the winter as warmer weather beckons, says Mr Bond. Growers who anticipate a deficiency in their crops should consider foliar applications if they are able to travel.
Nutrient uptake
“The first step is to establish what’s limiting your crops,” he says. “You can either look at the losses from the soil by using soil analysis or – come early spring – test the nutrient uptake of the plant through tissue testing.” As always, it is important to
judge each field on its merits – and make sure any applications are carried out at the optimum time. Sodden and cold conditions mean any nutrients applied to the soil now will be ineffective. “Your best bet is to apply spe- cially formulated foliar nutrients which can be effectively absorbed by the plant. Foliar applications of some key nutrients can be ap- plied in cereals from the three- leaf stage, when there is a big enough target to intercept the application.”
JANUARY 2020 • MIDLAND FARMER 17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
