Kent Crops Advance Toward T2 as Dry Spring Accelerates Development. Toby Dingle.
CMP Agronomist Toby Dingle shares his insight from his farms in Kent. Wheat crops are moving quickly toward T2 timings, with many expected to reach full flag leaf emergence in the first week of May. Earlier drilling dates and a prolonged dry spring, with little significant rain forecast, are accelerating crop development and making T2 product choice a key focus for growers.
While current conditions are encouraging some to consider fungicide cost reductions, caution is needed. Disease pressure is lower than in previous years, but most crops are not completely clean. Coastal crops are seeing brown rust return in susceptible varieties after late-April warmth, while septoria remains visible at the base of many canopies. Leaf scarring from earlier rust infections also highlights existing disease presence.
Although disease levels are currently low, ineffective T2 protection could allow infections to build later in the season, particularly if rain arrives in late May or early June. Any reductions in fungicide spend should therefore be carefully balanced against crop-specific disease risk.
In contrast, oilseed rape crops are finishing flowering in generally positive condition. Sunny weather has supported a strong flowering period, pod numbers look encouraging, and aside from early pollen beetle activity, pest pressure has remained low—allowing for reduced insecticide use in many cases.