Agricultural News
A Successful Crop Begins with Good Seed and Agronomics Says Wheat Specialist David Marburger
Thu, 03 Aug 2017 18:06:39 CDT
Leaders of the Oklahoma wheat industry gathered Thursday in El Reno at the Redlands Community College Conference Center for the 2017 Oklahoma Wheat Growers Convention. During the program, State Wheat Specialist David Marburger offered a review of the 2016-2017 wheat crop in Oklahoma, quickly recapping highlights from the data comparisons on the various wheat variety trials conducted this year, and also brushed on considerations farmers should bringing front of mind as the 2018 planting season draws near. He spoke with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn, before his presentation. You can hear that complete conversation, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below at the bottom of the page.
"We planted 17 different locations this year," Marburger said. "We were able to harvest and utilize 15 of those locations so just on the variety trials themselves, a lot of data there. We also have fall forage data, first hollow stem data, and then there's been a lot of questions about using fungicides because we've had more disease pressure over the past few years."
Marburger offered a few highlights on the results of the different variety trials that were conducted this year, with the disclaimer that the data collect this year should always be compared to the statistical averages for each region and county level trial, to ensure the variety that interests you is consistent in its performance.
"There's a number of different ways we can look at that, but in terms of looking at this year - those four regional locations on the grain yield side - varieties like Hotrod, WB4269, WBGrainfield, LCSChrome-," he said. "Those were some of the varieties that were at the top of those different varieties."
Regarding this crop's harvest, Marburger said he was impressed overall with yields from across the state.
"Yields were variable in some areas, that might have missed a rain or may have had a little too much grazing going on," he theorized, "but for the most part, a lot of yields were in that 30 to 40 bushel range."
He notes that the latest reports account for Oklahoma's harvest at right at 91 million bushels total, on roughly 21 percent less harvested acres this year. Despite that fact though, he says overall production was above average for the year.
"I think we're still going to maybe see a little bit lower acreage overall in terms of planted acres in 2018, but with prices at least starting to go in the right direction, maybe there's a little bit more excitement about putting wheat out there."
As planting season approaches, though, Marburger encourages growers to have their basic agronomics in mind - starting with knowing which variety you want to plant.
"I like to argue that's going to be your most important management decision you're going to make," he said, adding, "Control your volunteer wheat. And then, hopefully you get good soil moisture and doing the little things to try to get good establishment of your next wheat crop and build a foundation."
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