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Agricultural News


Slow Wheat Planting Start May Affect Wheat Pasture Prospects, Jeff Edwards Says

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 17:00:16 CDT

Slow Wheat Planting Start May Affect Wheat Pasture Prospects, Jeff Edwards Says
Dr. Jeff Edwards, Oklahoma State University Extension Wheat Specialist says producers across the state have made use of recent rains to get their crops in the ground. Edwards spoke recently with Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays and will appear on this weekend's "In the Field" segment Saturday morning about 6:40 a.m. on News 9.


Edwards estimates that about 50 percent of the winter wheat crop has now been planted. Farmers got off to a slow start due to rains that slacked off in September and that may affect the amount of wheat pasture this year.


"Our September planting was pretty slow. We didn't really have the moisture we needed as far as the top four to six inches to get that crop out of the ground. We didn't have all that much wheat go in the ground in September so I don't know how much wheat pasture we're going to have this year. It's looking like wheat pasture could be pretty tight if we have anything close to a normal fall or winter where it cools off pretty soon."


He said there are a few pockets that did receive ample rains and may have a good chance at pasture. One good area may be near Okarche. He said Jackson and Tiillman Counties which normally have a lot of wheat pasture are still dry and their prospects for wheat pasture are minimal.


Though the drought has abated somewhat in many parts of the state, Edwards said that rains will still be necessary throughout the winter to maintain subsoil moisture at optimum levels.


As far as variety selections go, Edwards said OSU products are well represented across the state.


"OSU varieties occupy the majority of acreage in the state of Oklahoma now. We have Endurance and Duster which are our most popular two varieties and I look for that to continue this coming year. Newer varieties such as Ruby Lee and Gallagher, which is kind of a Duster replacement, and Iba are occupying some acres."


He said seed for Ruby Lee is becoming more available, but supplies of Gallagher and Iba are still somewhat limited. He said ample supplies are about a year or two out on those varieties.


"Our newest variety, Double Stop CL Plus is a two-gene clear field variety. There was a lot of demand for it this year. I was kind of surprised by the demand, actually. We have a lot of people wanting to clean up some of those feral rye problems, so I'm pleased to see that.


"I'm proud of the OSU varieties and they are occupying most of the acreage in the state."


With variety selections having been made and seed going into the ground now, Edwards says there are a number of things producers will need to do in the coming weeks.


He said that scouting for grasshoppers and army worms before hard freezes take over will be important. As other foliage begins to die, pests looking for green material can begin to move into emerged wheat crops. He said he hasn't heard of any problems just yet, but it is vital for producers to stay ahead of any threats.


He said it's also not too late for farmers to pull soil tests and modify their fertility program to optimize wheat yields.


Edwards also recommends that producers put out nitrogen-rich strips in all their fields to gauge their nitrogen needs on an ongoing basis.


Weeds are perhaps the number one problem that many producers face, Edwards says, and in particular many have problems with Italian and feral rye. He said it is crucial that producers properly identify the particular weeds they have and pair them with the proper control. Maintaining maximum yield potential also means taking care of weeds early.


"It's important to know what you have and control them when they're small. Wait until they are all up--with a weed like Italian rye grass--once it's up you need to go out there and knock it out. Take it out early. Don't let it take any of your yield potential. You can still kill Italian rye grass in the spring. We can still kill cheat, in many cases, in the spring. But, by the time spring rolls around, they have already stolen quite a bit of your yield potential. So, it will help with harvesting and you'll still help yourself in terms of yield, but, to a certain extent, it's a bit of a revenge killing. You're much better off to kill those weeds in the fall before they access any of your nitrogen, water, sunlight or nutrients that should be there for your wheat crop, not for the weeds."




You can listen to Ron Hays's full conversation with Jeff Edwards by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.


   
   

Jeff Edwards talks wheat planting with Ron Hays.
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