Lincoln, Nebraska
September 3, 2004
Source: CropWatch and AgNews,
The University of Nebraksa Lincoln
Wheat variety & planting resources
Several key resources from the
University
of Nebraska Cooperative Extension offer
objective, research-based information for wheat
producers
Virtual Wheat Tour -- a Web site at
www.panhandle.unl.edu with photos, descriptions,
and key information on selecting complementary
wheat varieties to balance your wheat portfolio.
(see story below)Fall Seed Guide 2004
(EC04-103) and the
UNL Variety Test Web site both of which
publish the results of this year’s University
field trials so growers can compare yields under
various practices and soil conditions; also
includes variety descriptions, certified seed
companies; and approved seed conditioners.
Seeding Rates for Winter Wheat in Nebraska
(G04-1543), a new Cooperative Extension
NebGuide, is an excellent resource for
determining the rate and calibrating the drill
for more effective wheat planting. Available at
local Extension offices.
Wheat Production Systems, 2004 edition,
the latest wheat production information from the
University of
Nebraska
and other universities. Hosted by the
Panhandle's Research and Extension Center at
Scottsbluff. Visit the site to sign up for email
updates whenever new information is posted. |
|
Many of
Nebraska’s wheat producers had a rough year, getting hit with a
triple whammy of severe drought, late frost and
higher-than-normal levels of sprouting damage. People who have
raised wheat for 40-50 years reported seeing sprouting for the
first time. Diseases, including scab and common bunt, also
influenced yields. The Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service
estimated average wheat yields at 32 bushels per acre, about 30%
below last year.
While production, including
seed production, was affected, it does not appear that seed
quality for 2005 will be diminished. There’s been a thorough
clean out of problem seed to achieve a high quality seed lot,
said Steve Knox, manager of the Nebraska Crop Improvement
Association. In wheat seed they’ve tested for certification
average germination has been 93%, well above the 85% germination
required for certified seed.
That’s a good sign for
producers in the midst of ordering and planting wheat seed for
2005.
Seed selection While
producers can’t control the weather or continuing drought, they
can select seed to address potential yield and pest problems.
With the “designer seeds” currently available to address a
variety of production systems, growers can do a little research
and select those seeds best suited to a particular field and
farming system, said Knox. He recommends selecting wheat seed
that is certified and well suited to the field’s soil and
moisture conditions, expected disease pressure, and the farming
operation. Producers should also consider treating their seed.
On-farm wheat trials have shown that buying treated seed or
treating it on-farm will pay benefits, especially this year,
said Bob Klein, Extension cropping systems specialist.
When selecting seed, there is
no single “perfect” variety, but selecting several complementary
varieties can help balance potential weaknesses in one variety
with the strengths of another variety. This compensation
improves the opportunity for yield stability and profitability
of the entire wheat production system.
The 2004 Fall Seed Guide,
written by UNL Extension crop specialists, recommends four steps
for balancing wheat seed selections to reduce risk while trying
to achieve maximum yields:
-
Identify your workhorse variety -- one with reliable and
proven yield records.
-
Complement production needs and limits. Select varieties
with qualities matched to your production system and pest
pressures.
-
Complement with a range of maturities. Select varieties
that mature both before and after your workhorse to allow
for non-normal years.
-
Complement with different genetics. Select varieties
with 50% or less similar parentage to the workhorse variety
and to each other. Varieties with similar genetic
backgrounds often can be susceptible to the same disease and
production risks.
Not
surprisingly, a panel of UNL crop production specialists said
yield was the first factor to consider when selecting a variety
to meet one of the four criteria for building a balanced
selection. Compare yields from both public and seed company
results for fields and conditions similar to yours and do a
little research to see how the variety has performed under
different conditions and pest pressures in the past. To balance
the workhorse variety, consider adding smaller fields of one or
two of the newer varieties which offer a variety of attributes.
Often three to five years of research data is available for
these, starting from before they were released.
While complementation is a
proven strategy, University trials also are testing wheat blends
to see how they perform under various conditions. Next year will
be the second year of the trial. (See the
June 18, 2004 CropWatch for more information.)
Increasingly, producers are
managing for higher yields and occasionally that may mean they
select a variety with some susceptibility to a specific disease,
Knox said. In many years, that disease may not be a problem in
their area, but they need to be prepared to treat for it if
necessary.
Lisa Jasa
CropWatch Editor |