Flea Beetle 2019

Heathland

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
Sprayed 80% of mine this afternoon,with it being warm the little critters were jumping around, so hopefully it'll put a stop to their fun,the rest of the crop is sat in the dry.
It just needs a good rain,but unfortunately doesn't look like I'm going to get any anytime soon.
 
Without being an arsehole the early drilling slot when there was plenty of moisture seems to have paid dividends, my late planted osr very small and struggling, don’t think companions make much difference although one was on a plant of buckwheat
 

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DrWazzock

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
Without being an arsehole the early drilling slot when there was plenty of moisture seems to have paid dividends, my late planted osr very small and struggling, don’t think companions make much difference although one was on a plant of buckwheat

Later drilling hasn't worked here due to lack of moisture and slower growth.....so far.
Flea beetle migration is as intense as ever now.
Stubble turnips drilled end of August might come to something.
Rape drilled in first week of September probably won't.
They say that later drilling leads to less egg laying and larvae in the plant so less damage later but if you can't get a decent amount established then that isn't much consolation.

Between a rock and a hard place with OSR here.
If I ever try again, then I'll drill early and grow a variety that can withstand damage from the larvae.
The volunteers that were "drilled" early have got away nicely but they are very thick on the ground, now sprayed off. They too had begun to struggle for moisture. It is extremely dry here.
 

super4

Member
Location
Dorset
Later drilling hasn't worked here due to lack of moisture and slower growth.....so far.
Flea beetle migration is as intense as ever now.
Stubble turnips drilled end of August might come to something.
Rape drilled in first week of September probably won't.
They say that later drilling leads to less egg laying and larvae in the plant so less damage later but if you can't get a decent amount established then that isn't much consolation.

Between a rock and a hard place with OSR here.
If I ever try again, then I'll drill early and grow a variety that can withstand damage from the larvae.
The volunteers that were "drilled" early have got away nicely but they are very thick on the ground, now sprayed off. They too had begun to struggle for moisture. It is extremely dry here.


I planted some osr nearly 2wks ago, excellent seedbed, flat rolled, 20+ mm rain since. Its being hit so hard as it emerges. I think when the flea beetle pressure is so high there is nothing you can really do:(
 

DrWazzock

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
I planted some osr nearly 2wks ago, excellent seedbed, flat rolled, 20+ mm rain since. Its being hit so hard as it emerges. I think when the flea beetle pressure is so high there is nothing you can really do:(

It's looking that way.

There might some mileage in the repellent / masking effect of muck but other than that the job looks like it's had it.
I am awaiting rain tonight, then maybe a dose of Hallmark Zeon later in the week. If that doesn't work it's a write off
 

Brisel

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Midlands
I planted some osr nearly 2wks ago, excellent seedbed, flat rolled, 20+ mm rain since. Its being hit so hard as it emerges. I think when the flea beetle pressure is so high there is nothing you can really do:(

Even the stuff with sewage cake on it is getting hammered just as hard. Rolling with a Carrier press only then the Cambridge rolls has reduced the damage where normally cloddy areas gives them somewhere to hide but I left one field, rolling it once only & it has made little difference. The pressure is just so high & they are still flying around. Little damage on osr stubbles despite the volunteers only being 2-4 true leaves. The agronomist is coming tomorrow & I have Hallmark ready in the shed so it will get one dose only. I might be in the market for glyphosate followed by winter bean seed on the worst hit fields. (n)
 

DrWazzock

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Lincolnshire
Just been walking over it and unless there is a miracle, the power Harrow will be going in at end of week then drill with winter barley. Been loosened and weathered so should go well.

The stuff drilled into grass will be left to breakdown over winter then spring barley.

It's a relief actually once the decision is made. No point nursing a no hope crop into the winter.

Back we go to the early 1970's.

Thanks for nothing Michael Gove. Wrecked an industry with one populist decision. Hope you get booted out soon.
 

BigBarl

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
South Notts
Even found one of the little feckers whole bathing my lads tonight. OSR taking a hammering where it’s dry. Luckily one block is 10 miles away so it doesn’t get visited as often for us to get so worried about it?
 

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Crowfarm

Member
Location
Marlborough
Just been out to spray another couple of fields tonight.

We at the “At least we can say we tried our best” stage, and thankfully the success and failure of our farming operation doesn’t rely on OSR.
 

lloyd

Member
Location
Herefordshire
Just been out and found a handful hopping about on emerging rape.
Too hot for this time of year come in looking like I've been on a run.
At what stage is the best to or not spray?
 

stroller

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Somerset UK
Saw some shot holing this afternoon but couldn't see any flea beetle, just had a look in the dark, they're there, looks like I'm spraying tomorrow evening.
Screenshot_20190915-205601.jpg
 

spikeislander

Member
Location
bedfordshire
Good luck to you guys with osr I didn’t risk it after near 100% failure last year . But that 100% failure was due to me not really accepting half crops and big patches so tore the lot up .
After walking the fields countless times and spraying several times in a perverse way it was satisfying to be tearing it up and putting in another crop which turned out to do extremely well.
I know everyone’s attitude is different and I’m far from saying I’m right but it was absolutely the right decision here and the old saying of first loss is the best loss I fear is true .
As said good luck and I do hope and think the risk should be rewarded but we are stepping away until some clear way of controlling them arrives
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

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