Seedtech has issued a crop update from its Co. Waterford trials site, covering a range of winter cereal and oilseed rape varieties that were planted out last autumn.

In general terms, quite a number of cereal crops are looking quite advanced.

September 27-drilled trials of Champion and Equipe winter wheat, for example, are at growth stage 31. Some slower varieties are at growth stage 30.

The same growth stage values have been attributed to winter barley, oats and rye, planted on the same date.

Meanwhile, varieties planted out on October 9 have reached growth stage 29; growth stage 30 in some cases.

These evaluations were made on March 25.

Growth regulator (CCC) was applied to stands of winter barley on February 20 with good results achieved.

In the case of winter rye, the application of CCC was not achieved until March 20: uneven tiller sizes are still apparent.

More generally, Seedtech is confirming the presence of yellow rust in some winter wheat crops across North Leinster.

The problem is more of an issue in the varieties Graham, Champion, KWS Dawsum, and KWS Scope, especially where early drilled.

Seedtech director Tim O’Donovan commented: “It is important that T0 sprays should contain a fungicide chemistry that will control yellow rust.

Meanwhile rhynchosporium remains the main disease challenge in winter barley crops with Seedtech confirming the presence of the problem within a number of its trial plots.

“Early season rhynchosporium needs control as it reduces grain number per square metre.

"Growers should look for dark brown edges with a white centre along leaf edges," O’Donovan said.

“Barley crops following barley will be worst affected by the disease.”

Meanwhile, light leaf spot has been identified in oilseed rape trials at Seedtech’s Faithlegg site in Co. Waterford and DAFM Moorepark.

According to O’Donovan, the problem is a greater issue in those trials that did not receive an autumn fungicide spray.

He added: “Almost all varieties have some levels of infection, but better varieties are staying clean. These include the likes of Aurelia and Adapt.

Light leaf spot and sclerotinia fungicides can be mixed.

“It may well be a case of growers applying two sclerotinia sprays as a longer than normal flowering season is expected," O'Donovan said.

According to Seedtech, most oilseed rape growers are confirming good Green Area Index values for their crops.

Granular nitrogen can be applied up to the end of March. However, foliar nitrogen can be applied to rape crops after flowering is completed.

Where winter oats are concerned, Seedtech is reporting that crops are finding the wet ground conditions difficult.

Very little crown rust or frost damage has been noted in winter oat crops up to this point. However, oat septoria is an issue in some areas.

Where these matters do arise, they  can be quickly addressed with a relevant fungicide.