Late but Not Lost: How to Optimise Late-Drilled Wheat Crops

With reduced pest, weed, and disease pressure, late-drilled cereals might have more potential than they seem. We spoke with two Agrii experts to share their top tips on how to maximise success with late autumn drilling.

The Case for Late Drilling

After a challenging autumn last year, many growers opted for early drilling this season. However, for those dealing with late-harvested crops like sugar beet, potatoes, or maize—or even managing grass weeds—planting cereals from November onwards remains necessary. According to John Miles, Agrii’s seed technical manager, the quality of the seedbed, not the drilling date, ultimately determines crop success.

“Some late-drilled crops last season yielded very well, proving that timing isn’t everything,” says John. He stresses that creating a good-quality seedbed is key to optimising late-drilled wheat.

The Seedbed: Where It All Starts

Agrii agronomist Neil Harper agrees that late drilling comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in creating a suitable seedbed.

“If you compromise the crop at drilling, it’ll be compromised throughout its lifecycle,” warns Neil. Rolling the seedbed may be an option, but Neil advises considering postponing this step until early spring to encourage tillering.

Variety Selection for Late Drilling

When it comes to selecting varieties for late drilling, John says popular choices like Dawsum, Insitor, Champion, and Beowulf perform well, even when planted later.

“Variety choice should be driven by the agronomic characteristics you need,” explains John. Agrii’s own variety trials have identified Bamford and Blackstone as excellent performers with good vigour, ensuring they establish quickly.

Getting Seed Rates Right

John is cautious about setting seed rates until he’s assessed the seedbed quality. He notes, “In good conditions, 400 seeds/m² may be enough, but this could rise to 550 seeds/m² in more challenging situations.” He advises growers to focus on achieving the right plant density without overpopulating, as too many plants can lead to spring problems such as lodging and increased disease pressure.

Nutrition to Kick-Start Growth

Neil emphasises that nutrition is crucial for rapid early growth, with phosphate being the key nutrient for root development. However, in wet conditions, phosphate leaching can be a concern. Products like Agrii-Start Release help increase phosphate availability in the soil, especially when used with glyphosate or pre-emergence sprays.

Seed Treatments to Boost Establishment

John highlights the benefits of seed treatments, such as phosphite-based treatments like Take Off, to stimulate growth. Manganese treatments, like i-Man, are also useful on lighter soils prone to nutrient deficiencies. “These treatments get more nutrients into the plant, providing cost-effective solutions for better establishment,” John explains.

Grass Weeds and Herbicide Considerations

Later drilling can significantly reduce grass weed pressure, particularly with effective glyphosate use. However, Neil cautions that poor seedbeds could increase the risk of crop damage from residual herbicides.

He advises using flufenacet-based products or Luximo (cinmethylin) to control weeds and stresses the importance of applying residual chemistry despite limited spray windows in late autumn.

Lower Disease Pressure in Late-Drilled Crops

Growers can expect reduced disease pressure in spring with late-drilled crops, particularly for Septoria. John notes that late drilling can significantly improve a variety’s Septoria score, with an increase of 0.3 points for each week the drilling is delayed.

Late-drilled wheat crops can still deliver strong yields with the right approach. By focusing on seedbed quality, choosing vigorous varieties, and applying the correct nutrition and herbicide strategies, growers can optimise their farm performance—no matter the calendar date.

For more expert advice and support, speak to your local Agrii agronomist.