Growers considering planting spring barley early in England this season must consider whether they need to modify the crop’s agronomy accordingly, says barley specialist Charlie Siggs of Syngenta.

Example factors to consider include not planting so early that crops grow too proud by the spring, as well as checking seed rates and fertiliser use, he advises.

Growers should prepare for much higher disease pressure, while increased weed and lodging pressures cannot be ruled out.

“We seem to have picked up a bit more interest than usual in drilling spring barley early this season,” he says.