Crop development across the Seedtech trials site is currently ahead of the seasonal average, despite a challenging wet spring. Early drilling and favourable conditions have driven strong forward growth, with crops progressing rapidly through key growth stages.

Crop Overview

Winter Wheat

Winter wheat crops are currently ranging from tillering through to GS30–31, with growth stages slightly ahead of expectations . However, leaf emergence remains variable, making precise spray timing more challenging.

Disease pressure is building:

• Septoria levels are high, reflecting the wet conditions

• Yellow rust is present sporadically, particularly in the north east and in susceptible varieties

• Early intervention remains critical, especially where rust is visible

Careful monitoring of leaf layers will be essential to ensure accurate T0 and T1 timing, as rapid development and extra leaf production may lead to mistimed applications.

Winter Barley

Winter barley has reached GS31, with strong crop potential evident across the trials site .

Key actions:

• PGR application is now essential to manage canopy and maximise tiller retention

• Fungicide programmes should be prioritised, particularly where early Rhynchosporium symptoms are present

• Early disease control is critical to protect grain numbers and yield potential

Where PGRs were applied earlier under good conditions, more even tillering is already visible, reinforcing the importance of timely management.

Oats

Oats are generally clean but under pressure in wetter areas, with crops showing signs of stress due to waterlogging (‘wet feet’) .

Observations:

• No significant mildew or crown rust detected

• Some septoria present but easily controlled

• Overall crop health remains good where ground conditions allow

Oilseed Rape

Oilseed rape has now begun flowering, marking the start of a potentially extended flowering period in 2026 .

Highlights:

• Crops have developed strong canopies (GAI ~3.75), often exceeding expectations

• This has enabled fertiliser savings in many cases

• A longer flowering window may require well-timed disease protection, particularly for sclerotinia

Light Leaf Spot is present across sites, and timely fungicide application is advised where symptoms are visible.

Seasonal Insight

Despite a wet spring, crop performance across the Seedtech trials demonstrates:

• The value of early drilling and strong establishment

• The importance of timely PGR and fungicide applications

• The need for close monitoring of growth stages, particularly in fast-developing crops

Final Note

Best of luck with spring drilling. As conditions improve, maintaining momentum with timely field operations will be key to maximising crop potential this season.