STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane  Lienamann

 I have a feeling that with the last two years of short moisture and the possibility of more this fall and into next year, we may see more wheat put in than what we have in the last few years.  I welcome that, as I think that the use of a wheat crop is a great management tool and that it will pay dividends to producers, not only for dealing with the lack of moisture but to get us back into a rotation system which has gone missing for quite a while.  I also know that there is a good market for wheat straw and it is getting hard to find. That being said I think we need to look at some things as we approach the time that we normally plant wheat. There will likely be a run on available seed wheat, so perhaps we should look at some new varieties, sources of seed wheat and some considerations when planting that seed.

     There are some other very good places you can go for making decisions on seed wheat. You can go for a “Virtual Tour of Nebraska Wheat Varieties” by going to: http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/wheat/virtual  or additional on-line information on wheat varieties can be found at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/varietytest/wheat  UNL Extension has a fairly new tool for winter wheat variety selection for the area. It can be found at: http://citnews.unl.edu/winter_wheat_tool/index.shtml . Since we in SC Nebraska have a lot in common with North Central Kansas I might also suggest utilizing the Kansas State wheat varieties and test results web site at: http://www.agronomy.ksu.edu/extension.

     It may interest some of you that he University of Nebraska and USDA-ARS have released a new wheat variety that will be marketed as Husker Genetics Brand Freeman (formerly tested as NE06545) Hard Red Winter Wheat. It is named in honor of Daniel Freeman, the first person to file for a homestead under the Homestead Act of 1862 which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2012. Freeman was released primarily for its superior adaptation to rain-fed wheat production systems throughout Nebraska. Based on results from three years of Nebraska Variety Trials, Freeman was either the top producer or was in the highest yielding group in dryland production in the south central as well as other regions in Nebraska. Freeman is not recommended for irrigated production as other lines are better suited to and have better straw strength for those conditions. There are several other new varieties from other programs that may be considered for South Central Nebraska production. These include: Armour, McGill, Overland; Settler CL and SY Wolf. There is, of course, still some good older and proven varieties that may be easier to find, but it may pay you to look at these new varieties.

     Now that we have found the seed that we want, we need to find some sources. I am sure most producers have sources of wheat from growers they know or have bought from before and I hope they include certified seed wheat producers. A list of certified producers may be found at: http://www.necrop.org/SEED%20BOOKS/2013fallLarge.pdf or if you wish to purchase one on line at: http://marketplace.unl.edu/extension/ec103.html or go to your local UNL Extension Office. You can find the Kansas wheat seed directory at: http://www.kscrop.org/seeddirectories.aspx  Now that we have determined what seed we want to use and where to find it, let’s now take a good luck at treating that seed before we plant it.

     Due to the increased prevalence of seed-transmitted diseases this year, it is highly recommended that certified, treated seed be planted for next season’s crop. No matter which variety of seed wheat you select, I absolutely suggest using cleaned and conditioned Certified and treated seed that has a high test weight (56+) - especially if farmer-saved or bin-run seed must be used.  I think it imperative that you treat any and all seed wheat with at least a fungicidal seed treatment and perhaps a seed-based insecticide for even broader protection. Dr. Stephen Wegulo, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist, puts out a great list of suggested treatments each year.  I have a copy of the document in my office if you want one.

     Seed treatments control seed-transmitted diseases that lower yield and grain quality. These diseases include common bunt (also known as stinking smut) and loose smut, both of which were in our fields this year. The fungi that cause these two diseases infect seed or seedlings and grow within the plant until heading, at which time they invade the developing kernels and replace them with fungal spores. We are set up for a disaster if we use bin run seed that is infected and then worse yet – not treated.  Spending a little extra money will pay you back big time!

     One thing that I know will be a problem is paying attention to planting rates and dates. For planting rates I want to remind producers that UNL recommends that growers base wheat seeding rates on seeds per acre not pounds per acre. More on this can be found at: http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/cropwatch/archive?articleID=4972945  Planting dates help minimize damage caused by diseases. For South Central Nebraska that magic date also corresponds with the Hessian Fly Free date -September 25^th. Planting wheat too early can increase the incidence and severity of diseases. Those that come to mind are: Wheat streak mosaic, Triticum mosaic, wheat soilborne mosaic, High Plains, and barley yellow dwarf all of which have viruses that thrive on early planted wheat. By planting wheat early, you provide a longer window for infection in the fall as well as a longer time for diseases caused by these viruses to develop before winter. The earlier wheat is planted, the higher the populations of wheat curl mites (which transmit the three viruses) that will move from volunteer wheat onto the fall planted crop. Consequently, heavier infections by these viruses will result. Speaking of volunteer wheat, make sure you control it and talk to your neighbors if they have volunteer wheat or wheat planted in cover crops. We don’t want to provide a haven for the curled mite.  A little management and communication can go a long ways!

 

The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home