Crops are looking well across Scotland, with recent welcome rain having 'freshened things up', according to BASF agronomy manager Scott Milne.

“The winter wheat is motoring along nicely; crops are at differing growth stages depending on the area, with those in Aberdeenshire and Angus having recently had their T1s, whist further south in the Borders growers are thinking about their T2 spray which is about 10-14 days away,” said Mr Milne.

“Disease wise there is not a huge amount there at the moment, however, I always say you are farming for the next three weeks, not the last three weeks. There is Septoria on the lower leaves which with a bit of moisture could easily spread up the plant. I haven’t heard many reports of yellow rust; I think the T0s have knocked that on the head, coupled with the weather."

Mr Milne reported that winter oilseed rape crops are also at varied growth stages, often within fields, due to pigeon damage: “Sclerotinia has to date been a lower risk but I think certainly with a bit of moisture and probably a prolonged flowering period, it is worth keeping an eye on. Sclerotinia risk forecasts can be found on the BASF/AHDB websites and an application of a boscalid-based fungicide will give excellent Sclerotinia protection and help retain green leaf area.”

Winter barley crops are generally clean and growers are preparing to apply T2 sprays," he added. “T2 is an important time for winter barley in terms of Ramularia and Rhyncosporium control and any of the Xemium based products are ideal at T2 because they come out on top in terms of protection and control of Rhyncosporium and reduction in brackling. Chlorothalonil should be added for protection against Ramularia and resistance management.”