As of May 18, standard CHU accumulations have not begun at any of our stations. Heavy downpours and scattered showers dropped from 15 mm to 100 mm throughout the last week. Windy days were the norm.
Wheat is at first node to just before flag leaf emerging.
Discolouration persists due to soil borne wheat mosaic virus. Light green wheat appears to be nitrogen deficient on heavy soils. Poor fields are looking better since plants are starting to fill in the rows. Weed pressure is high and weed growth stage at the top end of the range for herbicide control. A few more acres of corn were planted ahead of the rain in Kent and Essex on the lighter soils.