Many spring barley crops are at flag leaf stage and many have awns peeping. Last week, some crops were still receiving herbicides and received a fungicide in this mix.

Timings are off, on fungicides this year, by nature of the season. Crops have pushed through the growth stages in dry conditions. The ideal timing for disease control in spring barley is mid-tillering or before GS30 and then at awns peeping for ramularia control.

While timings are off disease pressure is low. However, there are diseases present in crops and following rain this week and more rain on the way there will be more pressure.

Crops which have not received fungicide will need a strong application now, effectively the T2, but may need to be prepared to go again. They will either switch the strong fungicide to the first application or in some cases may get away with one application, but this should not be the aim, you should still aim to get the most out of your crop.

Others may be delaying the T2, as the T1 may only be on a week or two. Remember research shows the optimum timing for the T2 is at awns peeping. This fungicide should include an SDHI and a triazole, along with Folpet for ramularia control and resistance management. There are many different options available, chat with your agronomist on this.

Add nutrition and seaweed or bio-stimulants where they might benefit. Some agronomists add magnesium to help with grain fill and KPH.

Some varieties have weak straw and if they have not received any growth regulator may need one. Terpal can be applied before flag leaf emergence and when the flag leaf is emerged, but keep an eye on crops as this may add stress.

Adding some foliar potash to the final fungicide can help with straw strength.