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Agricultural News


Wheat Pasture Expectations Low, But Grain Prospects Still Good, Edwards Says

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:22:03 CDT

Wheat Pasture Expectations Low, But Grain Prospects Still Good, Edwards Says
Rains across much of Oklahoma over the last week have kicked wheat planting into high gear and Extension Wheat Specialist Dr. Jeff Edwards spoke with Ron Hays about progress and last minute considerations.

"Our producers are playing a little bit of a game of catch up. We had a really dry September. We had some wheat dusted in and a few places, maybe, had enough moisture to get a stand but that dual-purpose wheat that we normally plant in September just didn't happen."

He says a lot of producers were hoping for rains earlier in September to produce ample wheat pasture and their expectations now are generally low.

"We were in a similar situation last year and I had very low expectations in terms of wheat pasture and the year turned out to be a good one in terms of wheat pasture. But if we have anything close to a normal year, I have fairly low expectations for wheat pasture in the state of Oklahoma."

He says most producers are simply going to have to write off wheat pasture prospects and wheat pasture acres may be only half of what they normally would be.

Wheat acres for this year will be about the same as last year, Edwards says, although canola is making some inroads.

"We've lost a few acres to canola and that's a great thing. I hope we lose a few more wheat acres to canola. But even with that coming into play, I think we'll be at around 5 ½ million planted acres."

Edwards says he hopes to see more canola in the country because, in the long run, it is highly beneficial in terms of weed control and improved wheat yields.

"If you don't believe it's having an impact, just talk to a producer who has grown canola and what it's like to grow wheat after canola. It cleans up the field. You get about at least a ten percent yield bump from the rotation effect. It just has a lot of things going for it. And the price has been good in recent years."

Edwards says the statistically optimal window for planting wheat is October 10-20. Grain planted in that time frame usually achieves maximum performance year in and year out.

He says producers looking to achieve maximum grain production also need to pay attention to fall weed pressures and apply the proper herbicide. He says producers who wait until spring will find it is almost impossible to catch up.

"You can still control weeds in many cases in the spring, but if you look at the amount of grain yield that is lost to weed competition it has already occurred by the time spring rolls around. So, you have to get them when they are small, when they are easy to kill, and before they have a chance to compete with your crop."

Herbicide resistance is becoming a problem with some weeds, Edwards says, and he believes a major portion of the problem comes from unclean seed. He says producers should buy seed from reputable sources that they trust to help cut down on the problem.

Seed supplies for the newer wheat varieties has been tight, he said, but seed production for Gallagher, Iba, and Ruby Lee has been greater than usual for new releases. He says that seed supplies next year should be fairly good for Ruby Lee, with moderate amounts of Iba and Gallagher available.

The old standby of Duster didn't have its best year, Edwards says, but it still produced yields that were average or above average.

"It had too many tillers last year. It tillered out too much and the heat and the drought really hurt it. If we bounce back to what I call more of a normal year this year, I look for Duster to bounce back. The one thing to keep an eye on Duster in the spring is foliar fungicides. That might be warranted. But I look for Duster to bounce back and have a good year and remain the number one variety in the state for the next few years."

He says producers are optimistic about the prospects for this new crop and timely rains in mid-October will help buoy that optimism.

Click on the LISTEN BAR below to listen to the full conversation between Jeff Edwards and Ron Hays. Edwards will also appear on "In the Field" Saturday about 6:40 a.m. on News 9.




   




 

Ron Hays talks with Jeff Edwards about wheat planting progress.
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