Management of early sown winter wheat

• To achieve higher yield
• To spread the autumn drilling window (a sensible policy in a difficult autumn when a delay in sowing may mean not sowing at all).

• Higher potential yield. Verses More risk of lodging.
• Spread of Autumn workload. Verses Higher disease pressure (Septoria, BYDV, eyespot).
• Lower seed rates. Verses More competition from weeds.
• N used more efficiently. Verses Frost damage to primordial ear because it develops earlier in Spring.
• Less damage from slugs and birds. Verses Sprays needed earlier in spring as ground might not be suitable.

• Variety Choose a slow-developing variety with good standing power and disease resistance. This will minimise the risks of frost damage, lodging and disease, all of which are likely to threaten early-sown crops.
• Seed rate Use a low seed rate to reduce the risk of lodging and disease pressure. The optimum seed rate for mid September, which will depend on seedbed conditions as well as on drilling date, is likely to be in the 150-200 seeds/m2 range (approximately 65-90 KG/ha, depending on thousand grain weight).
• BYDV control Consider the use of a BYDV seed treatment to counter the increased risk from this disease. A follow-up aphicide spray may also be required since the efficacy of such seed treatments is reduced at low seed rates. If a BYDV seed treatment is not used two aphicide sprays will be needed.
• Weed control Weeds will be more of a problem in early-sown crops. Residual herbicides are required to work for longer but may degrade more rapidly if applied earlier in the autumn to warmer soil. If sowing early be prepared to spend more on herbicides.
• Growth regulation Earlier-sown crops, even good standing varieties, are at greater risk from lodging and usually require higher PGR inputs. Because early-sown crops require treatment earlier in the spring when temperatures are lower (and PGRs less effective) it may be preferable to split the early PGR application.
• Disease control Earlier-sown crops face greater disease pressure and need higher fungicide rates (and possibly extra sprays). Expect Septoria, in particular, to be a greater problem. Eyespot, although not usually a problem in first wheats, can also threaten earlier-sown crops.