Crop Clinic

The temptation to get your spring barley in early should be tempered by the threat from pests. The cool soil conditions will slow down emergence and give more time for pests to kill off emerging plants.

Crops sown after grass will be at risk from leatherjackets, particularly this season where there is a very high risk of leatherjacket damage. The results for this year’s leatherjacket survey of grassland show that grub populations are very high this year. 

Wheat bulb fly can also attack early-sown spring barley, particularly crops sown after potatoes, field vegetables or fallow. Egg hatch will be spread from now through to late-March and germinating spring barley could be at risk.Crops sown after potatoes will be at risk from wheat bulb fly, as egg hatch will be spread from now through to mid-March.

Finally, slugs will attack the seed and seedlings given the opportunity.