Record rainfall requires more careful planning for winter-sown crops

In the first 3 months of this year, we have had half a year’s worth of rain. This has continued throughout April, meaning that farmers are faced with tough decisions regarding their winter-sown crops. Waterlogged fields, nutrient loss, and diminished soil nutrient concentrations has prompted growers to assess the viability of their crops. NRM’s CropCheck plant tissue analysis services can help growers make these tough decisions.

‘Current conditions have forced farmers to reevaluate what do to with their winter-sown crops,’ said Alli Arden, Agronomy Manager at NRM. ‘With soil nutrient concentrations likely diminished, crops with poor root systems will struggle to access nutrients beyond their immediate rooting zone, either because levels are less concentrated or because nutrients have moved down the soil profile. Effective measurement is essential to evaluate their future viability.’

The persistent rainfall has taken a toll on crop growth, especially in fields with heavier soil texture or compaction issues, exacerbating waterlogging problems. Even if establishment last autumn appeared satisfactory, the weather has caused nutrient loss through leaching, particularly nitrogen and sulphur. Additionally, overland runoff has carried soil loaded with phosphate into roads and watercourses in many areas, while gaseous nitrogen loss through denitrification further depletes soil nutrients. So, crops may not have taken up as many nutrients as expected.

This is where analysis tools like CropCheck come into play. NRM’s innovative plant tissue analysis service drives efficiency by helping farmers and their advisors assess the growth of the plant as it develops. Measuring the nutrients the plant contains at key growth stages gives an indication of nutrient adequacy in time to act if required. Interpretation is also provided to guide why nutrients might be high or low. This service is for a broad range of cereal crops, with growth stages ranging from GS30 to GS37.

‘We are currently seeing crops at GS30 and beyond, so now’s the time to book CropCheck,’ continues Alli. ‘By accurately assessing the current nutrient status of crops with CropCheck, farmers can make informed decisions about fertilisation strategies. Ultimately, understanding the crop’s nutrient requirements allows for better management of costs while ensuring sufficient nutrient uptake for optimal yield potential, especially when weather conditions are unexpected or extreme.’

‘The expertise of our agronomists, Sajjad Awan and Alli, means that our customers can tap into the invaluable agronomic experience we have at NRM to help them make better decisions,’ said Sophie Cath, Senior Business Development Manager at NRM. ‘We know it’s important to our customers that they understand the context of their results to help them reach their goals and optimise their crop nutrition plans, so this expertise is invaluable. Coupled with our innovative suites of tests, this all helps to cement our position as the UK’s leading agronomy analysis laboratory.’

NRM’s innovative CropCheck services help farmers check crops are on track as they develop. This allows growers to adjust management programmes to correct any issues or reduce applications and save money. Learn more and contact us today.