24/08/2026
🌾 Ask the Agronomist: Wheat establishment
What can you do if your wheat has suffered slug damage, is thin in places, or hasn’t established well?
Nicola Pace, Ruralco Senior Agronomist, says the key is to act early.
Start by monitoring for pests and slugs, then treat with slug bait at the appropriate rate. With multiple slug lifecycles likely in the crop now, applying bait 7 days apart can help reduce numbers.
There’s also still time to influence tiller numbers before GS30. An early application of Sulphate of Ammonia (SOA) can encourage the plant to keep producing tillers, helping thicken thinner crops and build biomass.
In cooler conditions, SOA is generally a better fit than urea at this stage. Once the crop reaches GS30, the plant shifts its focus towards stem elongation rather than producing more tillers.
👉 If you’re unsure about the best next step for your crop, talk to your local Ruralco team.