THE UK'S oilseed rape crops seem to be winning the seasonal race against pollen beetle, though Scotland remains in a questionable position.

While we have had recent warmer day time weather, this has been backed by colder nights which has slowed down beetle migration. The main question is whether the migration will happen before the crop begins to flower as it is susceptible to the beetle's feeding habit until then.

Once flowering begins, the beetles can actually have a beneficial effect in encouraging pollination.

The majority of weather stations covered by Bayer's Pollen Beetle Predictor are still showing only 20 to 30 % migration. Some regional exceptions are the South-west and Scotland where migration is at just 15% or less and the North-west, which is leading the field with four weather stations at 36%.

Against this backdrop of slow migration, Dr Steve Ellis, reported that ADAS field teams said that most crops had reached yellow bud and some have flowers open. “This could be all it takes to see crops into flowering and past the damage susceptible phase by the beginning of April this Saturday,” he said.

The BBC Weather website said sunshine and showers is the theme for the week ahead and this includes temperatures around the mid-teens. Dr Ellis added: “This outlook should allow migration to move forward, but probably too slowly to cause concern for crops already at yellow bud.

"However, all growers – particularly those with backward crops – should keep checking the pollen beetle predictor until their crops are flowering in earnest.”