South East: All crops now extending and at early green bud stage. GAI canopies currently around 1.5-2+, indicating around 80-100+kg/ha nitrogen already within the crop. First N+S now being/been applied. However, there are some crops with GAI's of 3.5-4 and these won't need nitrogen until yellow bud stage. Planning disease control and PGR when crops are at Green-yellow bud (end-March/early April).

South West: Phenomenal growth since the mild weekend. Flower buds now raised above the canopy, yellow buds and occasional flowers can be found. Some crops are waist high (this from a reporter who is 6 foot 3). Robust rates of PGR triazoles scheduled for immediate application. Typically, new leaf growth very clean as the crop progresses rapidly away from diseased overwintering leaves. First pollen beetles seen on open flowers. Little sign of feeding on green/yellow buds at this stage where they do the most damage. Thistle control applied in the last 10 days appears very good. We had the rare combination of easily targettable weeds and acceptable temperatures. For many crops it is now too late to treat. Charlock control has been generally acceptable. Best results on exposed high ground with Northern aspect.

East: Crops rapidly beginning to go through stem extension. On some lighter fertile sites crops are already 18" + tall with flower buds well above the crop. There is an enormous variation in growth between crops, mainly depending on recent N uptake by crop, inherent fertility of site and rooting depth and extent of crop. Planning canopy management fungicide applications, which some tall thick crops will require very soon. Other crops are still some way off and will need to be reviewed. Light Leaf Spot: odd foci of light leaf spot seen on variety Castille in several fields in west Norfolk (see photo). Blackgrass: looks to be well controlled. Charlock: Control appears to have had practically no effect this season, very disappointing. Leaf scorching can be seen where control has been applied but plants will survive.

East Midlands: Crops all over the place depending on field wetness. Some crops advanced with green bud above canopy whilst others where have been wet are just pushing the green bud up. Backward crops and thin crops have had N and sulphur on this week. Remainder will be held back as late as possible. Forward crops to receive N + S in next week or so - unless it is applied soon it will not get the sulphur moving into the plant. Club Root: crops growing away but stunted - small patches being compensated by plants around them. Patches will be mapped and then receive lime, on the patches, in the next wheat crop. Also boron going on where club root found, even if small patch.

West Midlands: Majority of crops showing rapid stem extension with many at green/yellow bud. Odd flowering plant rather than crop. Some light land crops looking particularly straggly. First N+S going on this week to small or backward crops. First pollen beetles seen on open flowers.

North East All forward crops have flower buds visible now towards top of crop canopy, and some approaching yellow bud. Later crops mostly buds enclosed. Dried out well now, and travelling is good. Some crops have very spindly plants which are coming into flower but they have little leaf on them. Hopefully they will fill in OK as they take up recently applied nitrogen. Light Leaf Spot: some signs of new infection.

South East: September and early October sown crops generally at GS 30, with the most advanced crops at around GS 31 (particularly if basal fertility is high). Leaf 4 emergence is now well underway in these earlier sown crops - order of development as follows - Einstein (most advanced) >Robigus >Solstice>Alchemy >Claire. Tip of leaf 3 emerging on Einstein (a month earlier than last year), the crop is in fertile and sheltered field. Late October/early November sown crops are now at mid-tillering. 10 days of dry weather has transformed field conditions, and all but lowest lying or wettest ground is now accessible. Early nitrogen + S been completed on late-sown wheats, second wheats, rabbit grazed fields and Soissons. Otherwise first nitrogen + S being applied according to crop development and fertility - deep-N tests have come back very low (15-30 kg/ha N in top 90cms) from fields where there have been no manure inputs. Brown rust: still common in all September sown crops of Alchemy, Claire and Solstice although drying up after colder weather. Mildew: still hard to find active pustules following cold snap in early February. Septoria: lesions now obvious on older leaves of all September/early October sown wheats. Eyespot: some stem based browning can now be found in earlier sown second wheats in particular - will need close monitoring in Spring.

South West: A few crops now just reaching GS 31 although it is rare to find a leaf beyond leaf 5 emerged. Drying out well and most fields can be travelled without doing damage. Septoria: very low levels in most varieties. Eyespot: easily found in virtually all forward crops. First and second wheats. Mildew: seems to have freshened up a little.

East Midlands: Crops variable, but generally very forward with many crops at GS 30 and the most forward crops at GS31 and a 'bulky' GAI 2+. Many crops showing yellowing. Some later drilled crops thicker than usual due to greater seed survival last autumn with the mild weather. Soils on top now dry and travallable but wet patches remain and soils below surface very wet and sticky. Mildew: was some reduction following cold snap, but fresh pustules appearing. Septoria: usual lesions on older leaves but top leaves clean so far. Eyespot: little obvious eyespot, except on a few second wheats. Brown rust: traces on Alchemy and Einstein, but less prevalent now than 4 weeks ago. Yellow rust: traces on Robigus. Blackgrass: new emergence on worst fields.

West Midlands: Einstein at GS 31 on main stem, Alchemy at GS 31 with other crops ranging GS 12-31. Early sown crops of Robigus have final leaf three just emerging but most early sown crops still at final leaf four emerged. Ground has dried significantly over the last 10 days although only really suitable for travel this week. Brown rust: readily found on lower leaves of early drilled Alchemy and Solstice. Mildew: a few fresh pustules appearing on Robigus and Istabraq. Septoria: high levels on older leaves, especially Einstein. Eyespot: low levels on Alchemy, Einstein, Robigus and Solstice. Aphids: low levels in some crops.

East: Most advanced between GS 30 and 31 - Robigus and Alchemy - Gladiator on similar drill date now at GS 30 and Claire GS 29. Drying up nicely on the surface. Early growth regulator being applied to early drilled crops of Alchemy and Robigus. N being applied to second wheat. The indications from mineral nitrogen surveys, in the region, are that soil reserves are below the average figures compared to the last few years. Brown rust: easily found at low level on forward Alchemy and Solstice. Mildew: Essex: new leaves clean and older leaves now dying back giving less disease than month ago. Norfolk: increasing levels with high levels on Robigus on Black Fen soils. Septoria: no increase - lower leaves on most varieties have the disease - so what's new! Alchemy cleanest followed by Robigus. Clear pattern in disease levels with drilling dates - late October drilled crops almost completely clean. Eyespot: Essex: at up to 10% level in early drilled Robigus, Solstice and Gladiator. Norfolk: low level in second wheats. Yellow Rust: Essex: Trace in forward crops of Robigus. Norfolk: none seen. Wheat bulb fly: low level. Very few fields needing treatment. Wild Oats: first signs of emergence, over-wintered wild oats approaching second node.

North East: Lot of crops at GS 30 now and with daytime temperatures at 9 - 12 C they are growing quickly now, despite night temperatures down to 0 - 4 C. No rainfall this week. The land has dried well and most fields travelling OK now, but still need some caution in low lying areas where you might suddenly get that sinking feeling. All second and continuous wheats had N this week. Most wheats after rape or peas had no N unless later sown or a 'thin' crop. No N planned for majority of first wheats until into April. Brown rust: mostly disappeared now after early attack. Mildew: as with brown rust has mostly disappeared now after early attack. Septoria: present in all crops with all susceptible varieties showing significant level. Eyespot: some stem discolouration easy to find in most early sown crops. Aphids: easy to find in crops that had cypermethrin prior to 3rd week in October. Gout fly : symptoms easy to find in many crops throughout the area but none seen where significant effect on yield is likely. Wheat bulb fly: no 'dead-hearts' found yet in untreated crops.

South East: Earliest sown crops now at GS 30+, with most crops around GS 29-30. Brown rust: widespread, pustules can be found in all crops of Sequel/Boost in particular. Mildew: mostly browned pustules can be found on lower leaves Sequel/Pearl. Rhynchosporium: low levels can be found in thicker crops.

South West: Earliest crops in South Somerset are at GS 31 with occasional plants at 32. General trend is late tillering to 30. Wetter areas of heavy fields have gone very yellow again. Brown rust: is readily detectable in many varieties. Mildew: at low level in most varieties.

Midlands: Moved very little over past two weeks and still at GS 30, in fact some crops have moved back a bit as wet soils has stressed them. Mildew: at very low levels so far on lower leaves but becoming obvious in crops of Saffron. Net-blotch: odd lesions but Carat particularly bad.

East: Largely GS 30. Often very yellow due to water logging or mildew. Mildew: Norfolk: moderate to high levels seen. Net-blotch: levels vary from trace to significant levels on some crops.

North East: Crops fully tillered and at leaf sheath erect stage, which coincides with timing for first PGR application. Fields dried up well this week , but many crops are overall yellow. They will green up quickly now had early N and as weather gets warmer. Mildew: significant level in Carat and Pict but Saffron very clean. Net-blotch: significant level in Carat and Pict, but Saffron only very low level. at this stage. Aphids: present in crops treated in early autumn.