Agricultural News
Wheat Planting Underway- Mike Schulte Expects Fewer Total Wheat Acres This Fall
Thu, 21 Sep 2017 06:34:33 CDT
The planting of the 2018 wheat crop is underway in Oklahoma- and we talked briefly on Wednesday with Oklahoma Wheat Commission Executive Director Mike Schulte, who says planting of wheat for grazing and for dual purpose is underway- and that while some parts of Oklahoma received rainfall this past weekend- those still needing rain are hoping for moisture that is being predicted for the end of this coming weekend and early next week. Those farmers may begin planting wheat as well as canola once those rains provide some topsoil moisture.
Schulte says acres planted to wheat this fall will likely be lower- given the shift to primarily cotton by many growers in the southwestern quarter of the state- and to soybeans, corn and sorghum in north central Oklahoma.
You can hear Mike's comments by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.
Meanwhile, OSU Small Grains Specialist David Marburger has several messages for wheat farmers as they put the 2018 wheat crop into the ground- and at the top of his list is to scout for fall armyworms. In his OSU Wheat Blog- here is his fall armyworm reminder:
"Fall armyworm was a significant pest for producers in Oklahoma last year, and this year is setting up to be the same scenario. It is out in full force already in some areas, and you may have seen or heard Dr. Tom Royer recently discuss how this insect has been active over this summer, especially on bermudagrass and fescue pastures. Wheat planting is already underway in some areas of the state. As wheat planting progresses here in September, producers need to check their wheat fields very regularly after seedling emergence. Fall armyworm can decimate large fields within a few days. Scout for fall armyworms by examining plants in several (5 or more) locations in the field. A good place to start is along the field margin as they sometimes move in from the road ditches and weedy areas, but make sure to examine the interior of the field as well. Fall armyworms are most active in the morning or late afternoon.
"Be on the lookout for "window paned" leaves, and count all sizes of larvae. The suggested treatment threshold is 2-3 larvae per linear foot of row in wheat with active feeding. Numerous insecticides are registered for control, but they are much more susceptible when caterpillars are small. We will not get relief from fall armyworms until we get a killing frost. So make sure to keep scouting regularly, especially with early-planted wheat!"
Marburger says there is more information that can he helpful in an OSU Fact Sheet- CR-7194 Management of Insect and Mite Pests of Small Grains.
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