Ground conditions: Land was soaking nicely but then more rain came. However, recent rainfall amounts were not that high in most areas and dry land had soaked well again.

There has been some ploughing taking place but in most instances this is better done when the ground is dry enough.

There has also been an amount of spraying done, helped by some recent growth and the relatively mild weather.

Fields differ in their condition based on what may have happened over the backend. It could be very useful to take a spade to some these areas to see what and where the problem seems to be. You may easily see signs of compaction but doing something about them is a different issue.

There is no point in pulling deep legs through a wet patch – it will let water off the surface but may cause more problems further down. Try and let things dry out somewhat and see what the plough will do in time.

Plough damp ground as shallow as you can, as there will be more damage caused in the furrows and you need to have the option to get under this next season by ploughing deeper when conditions are good and dry.

But there may come a time when ploughing these patches in moderate conditions will be necessary to get them to dry out at all.

Some land is very badly tramped and will pose a real challenge for spring planting.

In many instances it may take months for headlands in particular to dry. In such instances it could make sense to get the field sown and to do something different with the turning headlands. But something needs to be sown in them in time as a growing crop with penetrating roots is an essential part of helping land to recover.

Planting: Some may get going soon but most will still be a few weeks away, weather permitting. Many will want to try and get some winter wheat sown but there is an element of risk to vernalisation requirement once we get into February. This is partly because we do not have experience of this situation in recent years and partly because of the risk of a warm spring.

Planted crops are variable in condition but some may look better after a bit of growth. Some replanting may be necessary in places.

Crows could be a problem for individual crops planted in early spring.

Nitrates and agchem: Use the slack time on the land to get your nitrogen and phosphate requirements for 2020 in order and to make sure your 2019 agchem usage is fully recorded and accurate. These are essential records for cross-compliance and need to be completed.

The nutrient plan will be influenced by choice of crop and that means a level of uncertainty still as spring planting choices remain uncertain, depending on the weather.

The fertiliser record must incorporate both artificial and organic sources of N and P and it is governed by the maximum amount allowed on each crop and parcel. This is influenced by rotation (for nitrogen) and also valid soil test results (for phosphate).