Crops have been met with drought in the south and east of the country, widespread frosts and even April snow in some parts in recent weeks.
A decent spell of spring weather has seen field work progress up and down the country. However, delays to sugar beet seed deliveries on-farm are holding up drilling for some growers.
With the news that sugar beet growers will not have the option of Cruiser SB (thiamethoxam) this season, BBRO outlines what’s available in terms of aphid control.
A combination of cabbage stem flea beetle larvae infestation and heavy frosts have knocked oilseed rape crops back in recent weeks.
Rothamsted Research has confirmed that the virus yellows prediction for the 2021 sugar beet crop remains very low, with first flights of aphids likely to be six weeks later than last year.
It is looking increasingly likely that the virus level forecast for the end of February 2021 will be below the threshold for triggering the Cruiser SB (thiamethoxam) derogation in sugar beet, says BBRO.
Early aphid migration, spring drought and cercospora infection at levels never seen before led to the perfect storm for sugar beet crops in 2020.
Winter seems to be progressing in the normal way, with December being suitably wet and the last field destined for winter wheat will now be planted with spring wheat.
The Government has granted an application for emergency use of a neonicotinoid seed dressing on sugar beet in 2021.
Weather was a much bigger factor than cabbage stem flea beetle in the poor performance of last season’s winter OSR, according to the latest ADAS Oilseed YEN analyses.