However, above average rainfall in April and May – particularly in eastern regions - supressed this aphid migration. Fewer than half the aphid monitoring sites reached threshold and applied an aphicide and only two sites required a second aphicide application.

The average virus yellows score across the growing region was 5% but this varied between the different factory areas. Newark area showed the highest rates of VY, averaging 9.5%. Wissington area averaged 3.5%, Bury area 3% and Cantley area less than 0.5%.