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In the June edition:
- Late blight programme optimisation going into rapid growth
- Stay informed during rapid growth: Corteva solutions for potato growers; tackling late blight in 2026; and latest news and CPD opportunity
- Rising disease pressure and T3 fungicide programmes: balancing risk and yield
- BlueN™ and Harbest™: maximising crop performance and quality
- Late-season weed control in sugar beet
- Optimising cereal establishment with Ympact® seed treatment
- Pioneer® winter oilseed rape hybrids
- Oilseed rape survey – share your views and win a luxury hamper!
- News and views from the Corteva team – see you at Cereals 2026!
- Update your communication preferences, enter our monthly prize draw, plus ways to earn BASIS & NRoSO points
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Late blight programme optimisation
going into rapid growth
The national crop has picked up the pace of development as soil temperatures have risen. Most crops will have had at least two fungicide applications and are moving into rapid growth.
The application of a non-OSBPI curative active ingredient, such as cymoxanil (Option®), in the first two spray applications – when access to the base of the developing crop is still possible – will have ensured that no hotspots have developed from seed-borne infection.
As we enter June, a notable shift in weather patterns has increased the risk of late blight. The Fight Against Blight (FAB) forecasting system, BlightSpy, indicates that the James Hutton Criteria were met across most potato-growing regions for at least the first two days of the month.
These criteria include:
- Minimum temperature of 10°C or above
- At least six hours of relative humidity at 90% or above
This combination of conditions significantly increases blight pressure, particularly in areas where outbreaks have already been reported.
Now that the crop is entering rapid growth, employing Zorvec Entecta™ in the programme introduces further new modes of action. These include oxathiapiprolin (OSBPI) and amisulbrom (QiI), while also utilising Zorvec's systemic activity to protect new growth as weather patterns become more unsettled.
Zorvec Entecta should be applied twice during rapid growth, alternating with fungicides that have different modes of action to maximise efficacy. Adhering to Corteva’s best practice guidance across the late blight programme remains essential to prevent the selection for resistant pathotypes within the local P. infestans population.
Given the increased risk, growers are strongly encouraged to maintain tight seven-day spray intervals in line with best practice guidelines. Programmes should also be reviewed in response to the heightened June risk. Where blight pressure increases, the timely use of a curative active ingredient can help maintain control. Option provides a highly flexible, truly curative partner with a unique mode of action, which can be included up to eight times within the programme.
At the time of writing this article, the FAB forecasting system shows only four confirmed outbreaks (in the West and South West regions), reflecting earlier dry conditions and good practice in tackling dumps and volunteers ahead of the 2026 crop emerging. However, with weather conditions now turning more favourable for the pathogen, vigilance and programme discipline will be critical.
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View the full best practice guidance from Corteva here.
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Stay informed during rapid growth: Corteva solutions for potato growers; tackling late blight in 2026; and latest news and CPD opportunity
Our recent Corteva potato update, which went out in May, shared a range of key information for the industry. Find out what was discussed below or click here to view the full update.
Resistance update & fungicide programme best practice guidance
Potato late blight control is becoming increasingly complex in 2026, with the loss of the key multi-site fungicide mancozeb and growing pressure from resistant strains. As Craig Chisholm, Field Technical Manager for Fungicides at Corteva Agriscience, and Dr Faye Ritchie, Plant Pathologist at RSK ADAS, highlight, these changes are shifting the focus away from individual product choice towards building more resilient, well-structured fungicide programmes.
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Potato crop solutions from Corteva
Corteva's range of solutions for potato growers includes:
Find out more about our solutions here.
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Learn and earn CPD points!
Follow the Crop 2026
Tune in for the 2026 Follow the Crop series with Corteva's Craig Chisholm, as he gives updates from the field on potato crop progress and key focus considerations throughout the season.
Click here to watch the updates so far, and stay tuned for more during the season.
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Rising disease pressure and T3 fungicide programmes:
balancing risk and yield
Rainfall incidents have now pushed disease up into winter wheat crops, while warmer temperatures have accelerated the cycle time for septoria and rusts. As a result, symptoms are clearly visible on upper leaves in untreated plots in trials.
Fungicide programmes - particularly more robust approaches where Univoq™ has been included at up to 1.25 l/ha at T1, or alternatively 1.5 l/ha at T2 - are already beginning to stand out in varieties where disease resistance has declined ahead of 2026.
Now, around two weeks on from T2 applications at the time of writing this article, disease pressure is likely to increase further ahead of any remaining T3 sprays. This reinforces the need for a complete programme, with a well-timed T3 to help maintain the flag leaf and deliver on the yield potential still evident in many crops.
Where late 'head and shoulders' or remaining T3 applications are still to be made, if not included in the fungicide programme to date, Univoq is a strong fit, offering broad-spectrum control. Where rust is already established, consideration should be given to including a curative partner such as tebuconazole.
Univoq can provide robust septoria control alongside rust protection at T3. Including prothioconazole can strengthen activity on both rusts and fusarium. Septoria risk is likely to be the key driver, and rates of 1.0 l/ha or above will be required for meaningful control.
As a stewardship priority, Univoq should be used only once per crop and always as part of a balanced programme with different modes of action. To find out more, click here.
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BlueN™ and Harbest™:
maximising crop performance and quality
BlueN:
June is a key window to maximise returns from BlueN, with crops such as potatoes, sugar beet and maize now moving into optimal growth stages for application.
BlueN is a foliar-applied nutrient efficiency biostimulant containing Methylobacterium symbioticum. It is designed to improve nitrogen use throughout the crop cycle when applied to actively growing crops, complementing existing fertiliser programmes. BlueN supports nutrient use efficiency and helps maintain crop performance during periods where soil nitrogen may be limiting and through phases of rapid growth.
Across UK and European trials, BlueN has consistently delivered yield benefits in potatoes, sugar beet and maize. Across UK trials conducted between 2023 and 2025, BlueN delivered yield benefits in the majority of situations, including:
- Marketable yield gains of 3.77 t/ha in potatoes
- Average yield increases of 11 t/ha in sugar beet
- An average yield benefit of 1.6 t/ha in maize
Now is the time to target crops that have achieved good canopy cover and are actively growing. Plan BlueN into the next suitable spray window to maximise colonisation and deliver season-long nitrogen support.
Harbest:
If you are looking to improve grain quality in cereal crops, Harbest is a strong option.
Harbest is a late-season foliar biostimulant containing ureic nitrogen and calcium oxide. It is designed for cereals and delivers nitrogen at the milky ripe stage to support grain filling, increase protein and carbohydrate content, and maintain green leaf area. By supporting these processes, Harbest drives higher yields and improves quality, helping crops reach milling specification.
Apply Harbest at 10.0 l/ha at the milky ripe growth stage (GS71–77). Harbest is compatible with many T3 fungicides.
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Late-season weed control in sugar beet
As we move closer to row closure in sugar beet, this is the last opportunity to control creeping thistle and volunteer potatoes. A single creeping thistle plant per square metre can reduce sugar beet yield by up to 1.0 t/ha.
For effective control of creeping thistle, apply 0.25 l/ha at the rosette stage, followed by a further 0.5 l/ha three weeks later.
Volunteer potatoes are also significant yield robbers, with five volunteer potatoes per square metre capable of reducing yield by up to 16.5 t/ha. Shield™ Pro will not fully control volunteer potatoes but will burn down the haulm and reduce the number of daughter tubers.
For best results, apply 0.25 l/ha when the haulm is 5-10 cm tall, followed by a further 0.25 l/ha 7–14 days later (up to a total dose of 0.75 l/ha). Partnering with ethofumesate, triflusulfuron (Debut®), or phenmedipham may help boost control.
Don’t forget that Shield Pro may also be applied to other crops, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and ornamentals. It also has over 50 EAMUs; refer to the CRD EAMU database for the most up-to-date information. Use of Shield Pro under an EAMU is at the grower’s own risk.
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Optimising cereal establishment with
Ympact® seed treatment
With harvest not far away, it will soon be time to think about what seed treatments you may want to use for autumn drilled cereals.
Ympact seed treatment continues to build interest ahead of autumn drilling, with its role focused on improving cereal establishment. By combining humic and fulvic acids with key chelated micronutrients (Zn, Mn, Cu), Ympact supports early metabolic activity, root development and nutrient uptake. This helps crops emerge faster and more evenly. This improved early vigour can enhance crop resilience against establishment stresses and supports more consistent plant stands, particularly where drilling conditions are less than ideal.
Ympact delivers readily available micronutrients and organic acids directly at the seed, supporting early plant processes before roots are fully functional.
Key benefits include:
- Stimulating enzyme activity and energy release during germination
- Promoting root elongation and lateral rooting
- Improving nutrient solubilisation and uptake efficiency
- Enhancing photosynthetic capacity and overall metabolic activity
These effects result in faster establishment and more resilient crops from day one. Apply Ympact at 0.7 l/t. It is compatible with all base seed treatments.
Click here to find out more about the advantages of using Ympact.
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Pioneer winter oilseed rape hybrids
At Corteva, we offer a portfolio of high-performing Pioneer® WOSR hybrids, proven in UK and Ireland conditions and designed to deliver consistent yield, strong agronomics and valuable disease protection.
- PT303 – the first winter oilseed rape hybrid to offer growers top-level yields with built-in tolerance to Protector® Sclerotinia and partial resistance to Verticillium Stem Stripe, helping reduce the impact of key stem-based diseases.
- PT312 – delivers excellent gross output and very high oil content, combining Protector Sclerotinia tolerance with partial Verticillium Stem Stripe resistance and pod shatter tolerance for added harvest security.
- PT315 – a reliable, high-performing hybrid with very high oil content and pod shatter resistance, offering strong establishment and consistent performance across a range of conditions.
- NEW: PT322 – combines high gross output with exceptionally high oil content and strong disease defence, including Protector Sclerotinia tolerance, Turnip Yellows Virus resistance (TuYV) and enhanced stem canker resistance through LmS genetics.
Every Pioneer hybrid offers resistance to TuYV, supporting crop health and safeguarding yield potential.
Pioneer WOSR seed is available treated with LumiGEN® Premium or LumiGEN Premium Insecticide Powered by Lumiposa™. Both options include:
- Scenic Gold™ fungicide for early disease protection
- Lumidapt Optima™ nutrient growth promoter to support early vigour and establishment
The addition of Lumiposa provides seed-applied insecticide protection that enhances crop establishment, reduces early feeding damage and supports plant vigour. It is particularly valuable where early-season pest pressure, such as cabbage stem flea beetle or cabbage root fly, may threaten establishment.
Together, Pioneer genetics and LumiGEN seed treatments help establish healthy, uniform crops with the potential to maximise productivity.
Click here to find out more about our 2026 hybrid range.
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Oilseed rape survey – share your views
and win a luxury hamper!
Share your views on growing oilseed rape by completing our latest survey. Your feedback will help inform future research and support for OSR growers.
Complete the survey for a chance to win a luxury food and drink hamper worth over £150, with three additional respondents receiving a bundle of Corteva-branded goodies.
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Entries close 30 June 2026.
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News and views from the Corteva Team
See you at Cereals!
With less than a week to go until Cereals 2026, anticipation is building for one of the biggest events in the arable calendar. It’s set to be a key opportunity for farmers and agronomists to see our latest crop protection solutions and innovations, and to talk through the season’s challenges with Corteva's specialists.
Visitors to stand 1044 can meet Team Corteva, win prizes, view crop plots, earn CPD points and take part in informed, practical discussions about how Corteva’s portfolio fits within profitable and sustainable rotations. There will also be opportunities to enter competitions and stop by for a coffee or a slice of pizza.
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Join us at The Arable Event:
We'll be at The Arable Event on the 17th of June, where you can see crops in the field, hear from industry experts and pick up practical advice for the season ahead.
Come and find Team Corteva on stand 8 to earn CPD points, win prizes and more!
Find out more and book your ticket here.
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Making molecules to meet farmer needs – the story of Inatreq active:
The discovery and development of molecules that support farmers is rarely a straight line. But persistence, listening to farmer needs and using science to create novel solutions to meet today’s ever‑evolving challenges is what we do at Corteva as a global R&D company. In this podcast episode of Agriscience Explains, we share the journey of a unique fungicide - from microbial soil life in Japan to the field of a UK arable farmer.
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You can also stay in the loop with all the latest updates by following @CortevaUK on X and Facebook.
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Get in touch with our hotline team
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CPD points
Subscribing to Corteva Agriscience's Arable Update gives eligibility for 2 CP BASIS points and/or 2 NRoSO points and/or 2 CP points for those who are part of the BASIS Environmental Advisors Register (EAR) annually.
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USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. ®, ™ Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. All manufacturers trade names and trademarks are duly acknowledged. © 2026 Corteva. Univoq™ contains fenpicoxamid and prothioconazole. Inatreq™ active contains fenpicoxamid. BlueN™ contains Methylobacterium symbioticum. Harbest™ contains ureic nitrogen and water soluble calcium oxide. Shield Pro™ contains clopyralid. Debut® contains triflusulfuron-methyl. It is a trademark of FMC AGRO LTD. Ympact® contains fulvic acid, humic acid, trace elements including copper (0.45%), manganese (0.74%), zinc (1.1%), boron, cobolt and sodium. Option® contains cymoxanil. Zorvec Entecta™ contains amisulbrom and oxathiapiprolin. Titus® contains rimsulfuron.  | | | | |