The total amount of N applied is more important than timing. Crop type, soil type, previous crop and any slurry or farm yard manure applications prior to sowing should all be taken into account when deciding upon the optimum rate of N to apply. Fertiliser N applications to winter crops in the spring should be based on crop growth stage. While this is the general rule, growers of 2 nd or 3 rd wheats that are more susceptible to take-all should note that these crops have been shown to benefit from an earlier first N application. If disease levels require early spraying, use a reduced rate of an appropriate fungicide and follow up with a full rate spray at T1.
Spring barley sowing Early establishment is vital for high yields.
Ensure that the soil pH status is sufficiently high before you sow. There may still be time to carry out a soil analysis if you move quickly. Seed rate should be based upon thousand grain weight. Results from a survey conducted by DARD s Applied Plant Science Division show that the incidence of wild oat infestation in cereal crops has increased considerably over the past ten years. An important source of spread is through contaminated home saved seed that has been retained from a crop that did not receive a rigorous wild oat control programme.