Spring Linseed News from the field 2022
August
Crops harvest has begun with crops turning quickly as the weather continues to be dry.
Yields are slightly down due to low rainfall, but the weather has created more even dry down to harvest than normal and crops are coming in dry.
As sponsors of YEN (Yield Enhancement Network) for Linseed Premium Crops are encouraging all of their growers to participate. At this stage harvest samlkples are being collected for grain and quality analysis.
This information will benefit growers through soil samples, leaf tissue test and grain analysis which are useful as the cost of inputs continue to rise. The information will hopefully also go towards improving information on nutrient use for Linseed as a crop.
July
Crops have finished flowering and are turning in the field. As we head towards the end of July crops are being desiccated ready for Harvest into August.
An Emergency Approval for Spotlight plus has been granted for Linseed seed crops, it is essential that use of product is reported to Premium Crops to fulfil stewardship criteria of the approval.
Premium Crops are sponsors of YEN (Yield Enhancement Network) for Linseed in the Oilseeds category. This information will benefit growers through soil samples, leaf tissue test and grain analysis which are useful as the cost of inputs continue to rise. The information will hopefully also go towards improving information on nutrient use for Linseed as a crop.
June
The crops have been very variable with the dry spring, but some rain at last has helped was in fertiliser and got crops going. Crops are flying through their growth stages and are well into flowering, with the most forward getting towards the end of flowering.
The second dose of fertiliser should go on before flowering commences to boost yields. Remember herbicides should be on before green-bud. Like the winter Linseed crop an end of flowering fungicide will help keep botrytis out of the crop.
May
Moisture has been lacking for a lot of crops which has slowed emergence of some crops or created staggered germination. Insecticides have been needed to get some crops through the risk period, but as we head towards the end of May rain has arrived and crops are recovering. The state of crops are variable depending on amount of rain received, those that had very little in May are looking thinner but those that got more are looking well.
As we near the end of May thoughts are turning to final fertiliser doses, the remainder should be applied at green-bud stage (see image below). The amount applied depends on crop potential where yields are looking good apply a total of 100kg/ha N. Where crops are looking poor consider reducing the total N to 70kg/ha.
Drill depth is important for linseed, due to the small seed size it is not wise to drill deeper in search of moisture as it will create uneven crops. Do not drill deeper than 30mm. Direct drill machines can put seed in deeper where fields are undulating and again can create uneven germination.
April
Spring drilling is now complete as we head towards the end of April. There is still moisture in the soil, but as the soils continue to dry out hopefully plants can get established before the soil moisture goes further down the soil profile. The Flax Flea Beetle has been present, due to the dry conditions plants are staying vulnerable at cotyledon for longer. Where damage is seen apply an insecticide, a rough threshold is 10-15 beetles per metre2. Rain will help crops get away from the damage, and once 5cm tall no further treatment is required.
Where small crops are showing serious signs of damage, a treatment with an insecticide will be necessary.
