This autumn could not have been more different from last. Temperatures have been above average for September through to November.

The Met-office report that the mean temperature for November in the UK was 2.9 °C above the 1971–2000 average, resulting in provisionally the second warmest November in over 100 years with only November 1994 warmer. This has lead to a very different pest and disease picture. The main concern is the level of rust and mildew present in winter wheat and barley crops. Already agronomists are preparing for an early start to disease control in crops carrying significant levels of disease over winter.

In winter oilseed rape Phoma is beginning to come back into some early treated or disease prone varieties. Again the continuing mild conditions are favouring its development.

Winter Wheat disease risk for spring

In the South brown rust at high levels is still present in most crops of Claire, Cordiale and Solstice. It will need a severe spell of weather to reduce inoculums levels and many crops are likely to need a February/March ¼ rate triazole to knock out infection if weather remains relatively mild. In the Northeast brown rust has been found at low levels in Grafton and Yellow rust at moderate levels seen in a number of crops, particularly Oakley and Robigus ( yes, we are still growing it). In eastern counties  brown rust has been found on Claire, Grafton, Hereford, Santiago and Invicta. To date brown rust has not been recorded in the midlands.

The table below shows the disease ratings for mildew, brown rust and yellow rust for the varieties currently on the HGCA recommended list. Ratings below 5 are highlighted in red. 46% of these varieties are susceptible to brown rust whilst 23% are susceptible to either yellow rust or mildew.