Agricultural News
Lessons To Be Learned From the 2010 Wheat Harvest
Fri, 04 Jun 2010 7:12:48 CDT
This may be the year that dockage will finally come home and really hit farmers hard that have large number of weeds in their fields- so says Oklahoma State Univesity Extension Wheat Specialsit Dr. Jeff Edwards.
Edwards says that, plus the relatively low protein levels being seen thus far, are the major concerns that he has as we crank up the 2010 Hard Red Winter Wheat Harvest. In talking with him while on campus on Thursday, we asked Dr. Edwards what key points he would want producers to consider when planting time comes again later this year for the 2011 winter wheat crop. Based on this year's crop now being harvested- he believes there are four things that producers have got to deal with as they plant next year's crop in a few months.
1.) Plant newer varieties. Planting a variety with inferior grain yield potential reduces the value of every other management input for the crop. You and I both grew up raising hogs and know that no matter how much care you take with the runt of the litter, he/she is almost always a losing proposition. The money spent in turning around the runt would have been much better spent on a healthy pig with more potential from the start. The same is true for wheat varieties. The more yield potential you start the season with, the easier it is to make a profitable crop.
2.) Improve weed control. If there was an easy way control problem weeds such as feral rye and rescuegrass in wheat, we would already be doing it. The truth is that hard-to-control weeds will require an integrated approach to management. In some cases growers will find a way to control these weeds in a continuous wheat environment, but in most cases control will require rotation to crops such as sesame, grain sorghum, corn, soybean, sunflower, or winter canola. What works on one farm might not work on another, so coming up with a management plan is tough and will require some trial and error.
3.) Soil test this summer. Fertilize according to soil test results or sensor-based nitrogen recommendations. Make adjustments when things don't go as planned, but above all, provide adequate N, P, & K fertility to the crop.
4.) Take care of the basics before you spend on any other crop inputs. Spending money on micronutrients, for example, is questionable if you don't have your N, P, & K fertility where it should be. In some cases this year, I feel as though we have been painting go-faster stripes on the hood of a YUGO rather than addressing the inherent deficiencies. By the same token, I have observed cases where a Lamborghini has been restricted to the school zone because basic fertility needs have not been met.
Click on the listen bar below to hear our conversation with Dr. Edwards about this year's wheat harvest now unfolding across the state.
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