8th August will be my cut off next year for drilling osr.Walked over rape stubbles that were hitherto covered in rape volunteers. They established themselves well and looked good in November. Left them alone as wasn't drilling wheat due to rain. They are now almost all dead or severely stunted due to what seems like rampant cabbage root fly damage. Pull at these bonsai plants and they slip straight out of the soil as they have no root hairs or lateral roots whatsoever, just a brown tap root which appears to have been damaged internally. I think I found a larva coming out of a root but couldn't quite see without my glasses.
My September drilled rape, the 30% that survived the flea beetle grazing looks OK, and hasn't been affected in the same way. For me this is a warning that very early drilling could be as big a disaster as late drilling. I'd say aim for 21st August this year if trying again. Drilled my stubble turnips around that date and they seem ok though not much bulb.
It might be CSFB larvae that has knobbled my volunteers. They are certainly a sorry sight.