South East
Crop development: September and early October sown crops now commonly range between GS 39-45 (Claire/Alchemy) up to GS 52, early ear emergence for late September sown Xi19 and Einstein. October sown crops of Einstein, Xi19 and Solstice now have the flag-leaf 100% emerged and are booting. All crops of Soissons drilled in October/November are now at GS 49-55, with some fields likely to be flowering in next 5-7 days. Wheat crops are incredibly short this year, barely knee height, even where only one PGR application has been made, and frequently seem to have very small flag-leaves - symptomatic of stress-induced growth and restricted N-uptake. Still fairly dry although we have recently had 8-10 mm of rain over past few days with more forecast, however with soil moisture deficits of 100 mm, we need plenty more if crops are to withstand another hot spell.
Brown rust: still very widespread on lower leaves all September sown crops of Alchemy, Claire and Solstice. T1 fungicides now mainly applied.
Mildew: still hard to find.
Septoria: lesions very obvious on all older leaves of all September/early October sown wheats - but very little evidence of Septoria in many crops from leaf 5 and above.
Eyespot: can still be found in earlier sown second wheats and Solstice/Robigus as first wheats.
Yellow rust: so far under control from fungicides already applied.

South West
Crop development: Many crops at ear emergence (especially Einstein, Alchemy and Robigus). This is around 3 weeks earlier than usual. Crops are around 6 inches shorter than usual for the current growth stage therefore late PGRs are only being used on the most lodging prone situations. On some light soils, especially late sown after grass where puffy seed beds were not rolled root anchorage is rather poor. Signs of stress have declined as welcome rains have fallen.
Brown rust: epidemic has declined in response to fungicides and cooler temperatures.
Mildew: levels still very low even on very susceptible varieties.
Septoria: development will speed up with the arrival of rain. Leaves 1,2,3 all clean however there is a lot of infection on the lower leaves of early sown Solstice.
Yellow rust: earlier epidemic now well contained by rust active triazoles.
Eyespot: progression still slow although prevalence of R strain means we should not fully relax as rain may spark it off again.

East Midlands
Crop development: Crops very variable, from GS 33 up to and even beyond GS 39. We have had some rain, but only 6 mm to date - deep soil still bone dry. Hopefully, more backward, dried-out crops will now benefit. Ground just starting to soften on top. Spraying conditions now also hampered by windier conditions. While most crops now at T2 timing, will delay spraying as T1 only about 3 weeks ago in most cases.
Mildew: levels very low.
Septoria: was very prevalent on forward crops, but reduced by very dry weather and T1. Noticeable on aborted tillers, but less prevalent on growing tissue. Recent rain could spark off an infection, but top of plant should remain clean for some time unless serious rain splash.
Brown rust: none seen recently including Alchemy - controlled by T1 sprays.
Yellow rust: only present in Robigus but controlled by fungicides.
Eyespot: no progress of disease, but affected crops look more droughted than healthier crops.
Cleavers: now germinating late and bulking up. Other BLW's may also 'explode' as it continues to rain. Also less shading from open crops.

West Midlands
Crop development: Crops range from GS 37-51. Virtually all wheats have flag leaf emerging with the most forward booting. Most forward varieties are primarily mid September sown and exclusively Einstein and some first week September sown Alchemy (although it has to be said that this variety has finally slowed down a bit). Extremely dry with light land wheats losing tillers and under severe stress. Rain on 9 May, let's hope for 2-3 days with several inches to rescue the situation! T2 sprays being applied from 2 May.
Brown rust: becoming a bit more obvious on Alchemy. It is easier to find it on crops on lighter land suggesting that stressed crops may be more prone to attack.
Mildew: visible on Einstein, Solstice, Gladiator and Alchemy.
Septoria: high levels on older leaves, especially Einstein, but most crops remain free of it from leaf 4 upwards.
Eyespot: very low levels on Alchemy, Einstein, Robigus and Solstice.
Yellow rust: no reoccurrence seen on treated crops.
Slugs: rain has brought yet another flush up onto leaves some places have severe shredding.
Aphids: colonies visible in the bottom of crops but not increasing as yet.

East
Crop development: Most crops at GS 37/39, full flag emergence, and a few fields with ears emerging. T2 going on when GS 39 reached while mindful of recent rain spreading Septoria and also time since T1. Welcome 12 mm rain in Essex, scattered showers in last few days 3-15mm recorded across Norfolk. First recordable rain in 7 weeks. Perhaps too late for some crops on light chalky soils. Crops on these are very thin, short and pale - second wheat in particular.
Brown rust: confined to lower leaves on Alchemy (4 and below), but common, also on Robigus and Solstice.
Yellow rust: controlled by fungicides.
Mildew: low levels on Einstein and developing in Robigus.
Septoria: mostly confined to leaf 5 and below with occasional lesion on leaf 4, particularly Einstein and Nijinsky. Gladiator not too bad.
Eyespot: at low levels.
Some late germinating spring wild oats seen at 2 leaves. Recent rain may germinate more particularly in later drilled, shorter crops.

North East
Crop development: All first wheats have flag leaf fully emerged, GS 39, and the later sown second and continuous crops at early flag leaf emergence GS 37. Yet another dry week with no rainfall recorded, but has just started raining this evening. A proper wet day would be of great benefit to all crops now, although only slight drought symptoms on free draining/light land can now be detected. Crops are well grown but most a bit shorter than usually so a late PGR is being applied at lower rates this year.
Brown rust: control by T1 fungicides has been good, but there are still some spores on lower leaves in Alchemy, Nijinsky, and Claire. Present but lower level on Robigus. Worst affected crops have been dense early sown crops. Infection reached upper leaves in areas of double drilling and fertilising and rest of field stayed very clean. No intermediate treatments made.
Mildew: slight increase on light land.
Septoria: always present on older leaves. If get the much needed rain this week, this will increase need for good T2 as well.
Eyespot: low levels, no increase.
Yellow rust: no new infection seen this week, but as T1 fungicide loses persistence could see it flare up again in Robigus.
Aphids: low numbers seen, and also evidence of some parasite control.
Orange blossom midge: several hotspots identified in area over last few years. Ordering OWBM traps now for use from mid-May.

UPDATE Leaf Emergence in Winter Wheat. Comparing this year's growth rate with last year's.

Comparison of leaf development 2006 vs 07. Crops sown at Andover trial site. The crops were sown on the 11 - 12 September, in autumn 05 and 06.

The graph shows the rate of leaf emergence over time and shows that Robigus has continued the same growth rate, putting out a leaf about every 8 days. Leaf 3 emerged in about 8 days across all three varieties. Alchemy, by comparison, took 2 days longer for leaf two to completely emerge and has remained about a week behind the other two varieties. See leaf-emergence.co.uk for more sites and varieties. This study is sponsored by Bayer Cropscience. Growth slower in the east. This year the flag leaf has taken between 7 to 9 days to emerge in these early September sown plots at Andover, which is about the same time as last year. However, they remain 10 to 12 days earlier than last year. It has taken about 17 days for leaf 2 and the flag to fully emerge irrespective of variety. It has taken 21 days between final leaf 3 being 75% emerged and the flag fully out. At both Louth and Morley the early October sown plots are not yet at full flag, yet it has also been 21 days since leaf 3 was 75% emerged. At these sites emergence of the top two leaves of the canopy has been slower than in either the September or October sown plots at Andover.

South East: Most crops of Sequel/Pearl are now at GS 55-61, full ear emergence and flowering.

South West: Many crops flowering and all treatments except pre harvest glyphosate now complete.

Midlands: Tiller abortion as wheat. Backward crops at GS 37/39 - many with awns. In the West, Carat and Siberia full ear emergence, Saffron and Flagon awns emerging to ears half way out. T2 sprays applied during last 5-7 days will be completed by beginning next week primarily to keep brown rust out particularly in Carat.

East: Crops range from GS 39 to 63 (full flag to early flower). Most at GS 49-55, ears emerging. Low disease levels. T2 being finished this week.

North East: Carat and Siberia most forward varieties are flowering now. Some Saffron just at early flowering, others about 50% ears emerged.

South West: Early February sowings emerging vigorously and evenly. Sitona (pea and bean weevil) weevil severe damage seen.

Midlands: Now trying to establish - some good on lighter and finer seedbeds, but those crops in heavy clods are struggling and are immediately being attacked by weevils - so cyper applied to all crops, and many crops had second application. Also bird (crow) damage - young shoots being eaten when they attempt to emerge. Hopefully, even this modest rain will encourage growth.

North East: 2-4 pairs leaves. High level of Weevil damage seen. Traces of chocolate spot.