Posted on January, 22, 2024 at 08:41 am
Overall, the wheat looks to have a good potential for grain production this year.
Planting date has proven to have played a critical role in wheat pasture this year. Early sown wheat has produced very well. A warmer-than-average December led to late-sown wheat producing sufficient tillers and decent top growth.
While some of the wheat has remained small, it has produced a viable root system and will continue to develop new tillers this spring. When assessing wheat fields for grain yield potential, it is best to start by evaluating the stand. Past research at Oklahoma State University has shown that at least 60 heads per square foot is ideal to produce max grain yield. Using a little math, that would equate to 38 tillers per foot of row when on 7.5 inch row spacing.
Since many producers have adequate soil moisture and viable stands, there will be a good potential for wheat to respond favorably to additional inputs. For an example, if a pound a nitrogen costs about $0.55 and it increased yield by only one bushel, the return on investment is there even at low grain prices. Even with the application cost, it will be economical to topdress.
Timely herbicide applications are key to early spring weed management. Always the sooner the better. Most wheat herbicides need to be applied when temperatures start to get at least into the 50s. Ideally for good weed efficacy and crop safety, there should be a few days prior and following the herbicide application with good growing conditions.
Topdressing nitrogen tank-mixed with an herbicide can be an economical option. Since the sprayer will be using a broadcast nozzle, such as a flat fan, urea ammonium nNitrate (UAN) rates should be limited to 10 to 20 gallons per acre depending on conditions. Applications should be avoided when air temperatures rise above 70 degrees and relative humidity is low. Applications should be made prior to jointing stage, which will limit yield loss by allowing more recovery time if crop injury occurs.
Disease management has shown to be economical most years. If applied timely, most commercially available fungicides have had good yield protection in OSU field trials. If only one application is budgeted, it is best to apply late and protect the flag leaf. Long-term data typically average about 10 to 20% yield increase compared to no fungicide.
From 2014 to 2021, the OSU variety trial near Lahoma has evaluated more than 50 wheat varieties with and without a fungicide applied around the boot to flagleaf growth stage. Some varieties had good rust resistance and had little to no benefit to a fungicide application, while others had yield reductions of 20 to 40%. Including all varieties, there has been a 20% average increase in grain yield over that time frame. Six of the eight years the fungicide application protected grain yield.
The disease has to be present to protect yield with a fungicide application. Knowing whether or not your wheat variety has good tolerance or resistance to leaf diseases is another factor to be considered. At the current wheat prices, if the wheat has a yield potential of at least 30 bushels per acre, then more than likely it will be economical to apply a fungicide if foliar diseases develop on the wheat.
Timely field scouting is the only way to determine if a pest is present and if an application of an herbicide, insecticide or fungicide is warranted. The only way for one of these pesticides to protect yield and have a positive return on investment would be knowing what pests are present and knowing how much yield potential can be saved if applied correctly.
Source: Enid News