Autumn sowing advice for soil health patience rotation

Autumn sowing remains a cornerstone of crop planning, but according to Douglas Bonn, regional sales manager with Nickerson Seeds, the best results come from flexibility, patience and a focus on soil resilience.

“Rotation is the key driver,” Douglas explains. “It’s not about autumn always being better than spring. It depends entirely on where each crop fits in the farm’s rotation, because that underpins soil health. Good, solid rotation builds resilience, and with the weather patterns we’re seeing, resilient soils are essential.”

Some decisions are straightforward. Oilseed rape must be drilled in the autumn, and winter wheats and barleys often deliver stronger yields than their spring counterparts. Beyond that, Douglas says it comes down to rotation, end market and local conditions.

“There are varieties that suit early drilling and others better left until later. A classic older wheat like Revelation could go in during the first week of September without issue because it was later to mature. By contrast, a very aggressive variety like LG Redwald comes out of the ground fast and fits better later in the season, for example after potatoes.”

Among newer options, Douglas highlights the hard wheat LG Typhoon. “It can be sown very early but stays low and prostrate in the autumn, so it doesn’t get ahead of itself. It wakes up later in spring, tillers strongly, and works well in wider rows or regenerative systems.”

With pressure on spring barley markets, Douglas expects some growers to adjust. “We’re already seeing extra fields of oilseed rape being drilled, even by people who haven’t grown it before. Locally that will mean more area in the ground, but nationally the UK still needs oilseed rape, so I don’t expect the market to be oversupplied.”

If there’s one principal Douglas stresses, it’s patience when it comes to drilling. “The most important day in a crop’s life is the day it’s put in the ground. The first six weeks determine yield. Moisture is the number one requirement - without it, crops struggle and pests like cabbage stem flea beetle can devastate them. With moisture, nutrition and good conditions, the plant will establish and thrive.”

This year’s early harvest brings temptation to push ahead, but Douglas warns against rushing. “You could easily see aphids carrying viruses like barley yellow dwarf if crops are too far forward. Sometimes the best advice is simply to wait.

“My advice, go on holiday for a week,” he said with a chuckle.

Beyond variety choice and drilling dates, Douglas insists autumn sowing success rests on a whole-farm approach. “It’s not just about the drill. It’s about crop rotation, organic matter, how you manage straw, and cover crops. Direct drilling can work well, but compaction and heavy traffic from baling can undo the benefits. Every system needs to be looked at in context.”

Cover crops, in particular, will play a growing role. “I believe there should be something growing in the soil 52 weeks of the year,” Douglas says. “That doesn’t mean always harvesting it but keeping the soil alive builds resilience. With government support aligning more with cover crops, I expect their use to increase.”

On the nutrient side, Douglas stresses the basics. “pH is central to farming. Get that right, maintain P and K levels properly, and everything else follows.” He also points to phosphite seed dressings, long used within Nickerson’s range, as proven tools for helping establishment.

Disease and pest pressures are always a factor. “Earlier drilling means crops sit in the ground longer and face more disease risk. And if seedlings emerge slowly in dry soils, cabbage stem flea beetle can wipe them out. Again, it comes back to waiting for the right conditions.”

Yellow rust in wheat has also been quite a problem, largely linked to the YR15 gene. “So many of the varieties that we’ve been used to using have been affected by this YR15 being compromised,” said Douglas. “Plant breeders look at stacking genes, so whilst the main one might be away, there is still some protection there.” Looking ahead, he added: “Moving forward to new varieties, we will rely on a different gene, and not the YR15 gene as the key one.”

Despite challenges, Douglas remains upbeat. Advances in breeding, such as pod shatter resistance in oilseed rape, are helping farmers manage real-world risks. “Ten years ago, strong August winds could wipe out a crop. Now breeders have delivered traits that make those crops far more robust. That’s progress.”

He also believes legumes like winter beans will become increasingly popular. “They fix nitrogen, are great soil conditioners, slot into rotations, and provide protein for livestock farmers. In some cases, arable and livestock neighbours are already working together - beans for feed, straw for dung - and that strengthens both sides.”

For Douglas, the future of autumn sowing will be shaped less by short-term trends and more by long-term resilience. “Soil structure, soil health and rotation are at the heart of it. Get those right, and crops will continue to improve.”