There are many reasons why growers have been planting winter wheat in eastern Nebraska. Farmers in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones should seed winter wheat in the first two weeks of September. “Field Crop News” is an archive of information dedicated to the production of over 8.5 million acres of field crops in Ontario and a forum for which producers, researchers and industry personnel can share information and ideas. Winter Wheat Establishment: It’s All in the Details, on Winter Wheat Establishment: It’s All in the Details, OMAFRA Field Crop Report – September 6, 2018, Strip-Till at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2018, Identifying Phosphorus Use Efficiency Traits in Winter Wheat, True Armyworm and Cereal Leaf Beetle in Cereals, Great Lakes and Maritimes Pest Monitoring Network. Although winter wheat is quite competitive, weed pressure can have an impact on tillering, ultimately reducing yields. Ontario’s 2020 winter wheat crop was still a good one, but it could have been better if not for a late turn to hotter, drier weather. Most of the 2019 wheat crop was graded a No. Next, ensure you are using a starter fertilizer. Red winter wheat is an excellent cover crop to plant in the fall to infuse nutrients back in turned soil and prepare the ground plot for seeds and plants cultivated in it the following spring. Figure 2. But just how late is too late when it comes to planting winter wheat in Ontario? What impact will that late planting have on yields and emergence? So what did growers who fared better than others have in common even in a year with variable moisture? Eastern Ontario is bucking the provincial trend, as a late soybean harvest and wet weather prevented many farmers from planting winter wheat. Planting was about two weeks early this year, thanks to an early bean harvest. UNL web framework and quality assurance provided by the, Apply to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Give to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Strengthening Nebraska's Agricultural Economy, Michael Sindelar - Cropping Systems Extension Educator, variety selection and resources available to growers in east and south central Nebraska, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.034, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2015.03.012, Eastern Nebraska Growers Adding Wheat into the Rotation, Use plant diversity to increase diversity in the soil, Manage soils more by disturbing them less, Keep a live root throughout the year to feed the soil, Having both spring and fall planted crops. Overcoming some of the economic challenges included increasing awareness of the positive basis/cash price locally and finding opportunities to sell straw. Adding winter wheat to a crop rotation comes with some economic challenges and logistical hurdles such as planting and harvesting only one or two fields of wheat and the learning curve that comes with growing a new crop. Winter wheat (usually Triticum aestivum) are strains of wheat that are planted in the autumn to germinate and develop into young plants that remain in the vegetative phase during the winter and resume growth in early spring. 2015. The southern area of this region may use wheat as pasture. 105 Ag. Plant winter wheat roughly one inch (2.5 centimetres) deep to prevent the crop from being subject to harsh winter conditions. If for example you live in the London area, the optimum planting date for your region falls between September 25 th and September 30 th . Wheat was unknown in North America before the discovery of the new world. Figure 1. Figure 1: Updated Optimum Planting Date Map for Winter Wheat in Ontario. However, Ontario research has shown a 1.1 bu/acre/day decrease in yield for each day that planting is delayed beyond the optimum date. Looking at some of these challenges, let’s address how farmers could overcome some of these barriers. On chernozem soils and in arid regions, seeds of winter wheat are planted to a depth of 5 – 6 cm. Logistical hurdles of only having one or two fields was solved by finding another operator to custom drill and harvest the wheat crop or starting a new custom drilling business themselves. Would you believe that some growers are adding winter wheat to their rotation to improve soil health? In a recap of the winter wheat growing season in the province, Grain Farmers of Ontario senior agronomist Marty Vermey wrote that just as pollination was starting in the province, temperatures climbed and the rain stopped. Chances increase for good establishment and successful over-wintering if it can be planted in late September or early October. Seed winter wheat a depth of about 1 inch, any shallower and the crop becomes more vulnerable during the winter months (Figure 2). First, it is important to know what the purpose of a PGRs is. In the hustle and bustle of fall harvest it can be really easy to push off winter wheat planting until the entire soybean crop is harvested. In a recap of the winter wheat growing season in the province, Grain Farmers of Ontario senior agronomist Marty Vermey wrote that just as pollination was starting in the province, temperatures climbed and the rain stopped. Planting wheat on Sept 17 vs Sept 30 resulted in a substantial yield increase while also using a lower seeding rate. Several long-term (14 & 15 years) crop rotations studies (Monmouth and Perry, Illinois and Ridgetown, Ontario) have shown including winter wheat in the rotation with corn and soybeans increases water stable aggregates, which is a very sensitive and good indicator for soil physical health (Figure 1). This in turn pushes winter wheat planting back. In order to successfully do this, ensure all soybean residue is evenly spread and that the drill can easily cut through the residue. There are several reasons for this decline including lack of profitability, logistics, lack of a livestock enterprise, and world supply/demand, among others. 2002). "They've decided there isn't enough wheat … Winter Wheat Seeding Rate X Seeding Date Interactions Purpose: Seeding rate recommendations for winter wheat in Ontario have long been standardized across seeding dates, soil types, and varieties. There seems to be a trend to decrease crop diversity instead of increase it, for example, in southeast Nebraska there are far less acres and farms growing oats, winter wheat, alfalfa, and grain sorghum. Sustainability of the family farm small business includes balancing short-term and long-term profitability. 2 this year, with No. The next four to eight weeks (October to November) allow the plant to vernalize (giving the plant the signal to flower next spring) and acclimate to the cold (harden off for the winter). Classification into spring or winter wheat is common and traditionally refers to the season during which the crop is grown. A healthy functioning soil provides numerous local ecosystem benefits including improved water quality, flood and drought mitigation. When planting winter wheat, a relatively deeper seed placement is required, in which the tillering node is laid deeper. Prepare to plant winter wheat in the fall, approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the soil freezes, as this allows for strong root growth. Introduce wheat to one or two fields a year to start. When the upper layers of the soil dry out, the depth of sowing seeds on chernozems can be increased to 8 – 10 cm. Ontario research has also shown that dry granular fertilizers are as effective as liquid 6-24-6 (Table 1 and 2). Rates should be increased by 200,000 seeds/week to a maximum of 2.2 million seeds/acre. 2015. 4. You may say to yourself “Yes, we know a good wheat crop starts with planting! Winter wheat production for New York is forecasted at 7.43 million bushels, up 24 percent from the 2014 crop. However, Ontario research has shown a 1.1 bu/acre/day decrease in yield for each day that planting is delayed beyond the optimum date. Attaining a consistent seed depth is important in order to increase the probability of … If conditions are dry during planting, adjust the depth to ensure the seed is in moisture. It is generally not recommended to seed more than 10-14 days prior to the optimum date for your region. Trials from 2005 and 2006 conducted by Ontario Soil and Crop indicate surprising results when seeding wheat very late. Ontario’s five-year planting average is 869,000 acres. When to Plant Red Winter Wheat. The crop technology team with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), faculty at the University of Guelph and Ontario field crop producers continually work together to find ways to improve field crop production. Farmers then have the option to plant spring wheat, a different variety which does not require a period of vernalization. Increasing seeding rates can help, to an extent, overcome this decease of growth and maintain yield potential. These aspects of soil health were increased by adding wheat into the rotation regardless of the tillage system (conventional or no-till). The recommended seeding rate for winter wheat in Ontario is between 350 and 450 seeds m −2 (OMAFRA 2010) and 450 seeds m −2 in western Canada, a rate which produced around 280 plants m … Higher seeding rates when planting is delayed will also assist with the reduced tillering that may occur before winter. Ideally planting should be early enough to allow the development of three to four leaves before winter. Hard Red Winter used to occupy up to 18 percent of wheat acres in the province, but that number has dropped to an estimated 7 per cent in recent years and Ontario mills — including P&H and ADM — have taken notice. You can opt-out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email. Adding a crop to your current rotation could benefit your integrated pest management plan by helping break disease cycles, control weeds, limit insect and other pest infestations. Adjusting your seeding depths and populations will help compensate for the less than ideal conditions that may occur at planting. If time and weather do not permit, winter wheat might not get planted in the fall. According to Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, producers in Ontario planted most of their intended winter wheat acres in time for good establishment before winter. The following practices can be utilized to improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil: using cover crops, having a diverse crop rotation, integrating livestock, mulching/amendments, utilizing no-till, nutrient management of the soil and ecological pest management approach. Attention to detail starts with planting your crop on time (Figure 1)! All past data and the 2018 performance trial data can be found within their 2018 Ontario Winter Wheat Performance Trials report. Winter Wheat in Ontario . This takes away the ‘host organism,’ for a longer period of time with a three crop rotation helping disrupt the annual life cycles of pests such as western corn rootworm, sudden death syndrome, and frogeye leaf spot. 1 or No. Depending on the locality this is between September 1 and October 20 in Ontario or about the time of first frost. It is generally not recommended to seed more than 10 days prior to the optimum date for your region. Farmers in Ontario were believed to have seeded roughly 700,000 acres of winter wheat in the fall of 2011, down from the usual one million, he said. The crop is planted in the early fall sothat the land generally does not have to be worked in the earlyspring when it is often too wet, and when there is a danger ofdamaging the soil structure. Communications Bldg.Lincoln, NE 68583-0918. With new plant growth regulators (PGRs) entering the Ontario market, many are asking, when and where should a PGR be used? The definition of soil health by the USDA-NRCS “soil health is the continued capacity of a soil to function as a vital, living ecosystem that sustains, plants, animals, and humans.”. Spring wheat can be planted as early as you can work the soil. “It went perfectly. Yields are expected to average 63 bushels per acre, unchanged from last year (Blair Smith, State Statistician of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office on 8/17). However, not all producers have the same business model and soil health goals. The time to plant winter wheat varies considerably from place to place. Table 1. Seeding rates should also be adjusted if seeding is delayed beyond the optimum timing. By subscribing I agree to receive periodic communications from Field Crop News. Now and likely more so in the future, companies, consumers, and the entire supply chain are increasing interest to document sustainability down to the farm level. Copyright © 2018 Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, All Rights Reserved. Winter wheat (usually Triticum aestivum) are strains of wheat that are planted in the autumn to germinate and develop into young plants that remain in the vegetative phase during the winter and resume growth in early spring. Winter wheat is seeded in late August or early September into a shallow seedbed to allow the plant to access enough water to germinate quickly and grow for four to five weeks. These seeding times are recommended to ensure winter wheat will germinate, emerge, grow to at least the three-leaf stage and then develop a good crown root system before freeze up, all of which will help to ensure overwinter survival. Optimum date to seed winter wheat across Ontario. The crop prevents wind and water erosion, reduces compaction in springtime, diversifies soil nutrients and lowers risk of disease buildup, and the broken-down straw is high in phosphorus. –Excess N at planting thought to decrease winter survival –Strategy to apply N in the spring to avoid over winter … If, for example, you live in the London area, the optimum planting date for your region falls between September 25 and September 30. Given the increase in unseeded acres across the province in 2019, Follings says it’s important to remember planting winter wheat too early also carries substantial risks. More importantly it allows for proper fungicide timing in the spring and means one less thing to worry about in the busy planting season. If the weather turns dry during planting, adjust the seeding depth so that the seed is being placed into moisture. OMAFRA Publications 811: Agronomy Guide. ONTARIO’S OPTIMUM WINTER WHEAT PLANTING DATE MAP. Also double check that all planting equipment is in good working order well before you get to the field to avoid any further delays. As many farmers are getting ready to begin harvest, farmers who grow winter wheat are preparing to plant. The key learning and outcomes from these collaborations are captured at “Field Crop News”. Wheat improves nitrogen use efficiency of maize and soybean-based cropping systems, Congreves et al. Johnson speculated that roughly 650,000 acres of winter wheat will be harvested in the province once those operations begin. Planting was about two weeks early this year, thanks to an early bean harvest. We’ve heard this over and over again!” Yet, many are still not giving their winter wheat crop the attention it deserves at planting. Snow insulates, protecting the crown of winter wheat from the potentially lethal temperatures common to Minnesota winters. The weather had a negative impact on yield for many while others were pleasantly surprised with yields pushing well over 100 bu/ac. In winter wheat country – from Texas to Nebraska – winter wheat is generally planted the end of September through mid-October. Ontario research has shown over and over again that winter wheat is highly responsive to starter fertilizer, phosphorus in particular. Consider the move to fall weed control! The southern area of this region may use wheat as pasture. Several long-term (14 & 15 years) crop rotations studies (Monmouth and Perry, Illinois and Ridgetown, Ontario) have shown including winter wheat in the rotation with corn and soybeans increases water stable aggregates, which is a very sensitive and good indicator for soil physical health (Figure 1). The 2019 Ontario winter wheat crop has millers reporting excellent quality. In this rotation, two warm season crops are grown with one being a grass and one being a broadleaf with one year between the same crop types. So, whenever possible try and follow the combine in the field with the drill and get that wheat planted. As we saw in 2019, if winter wheat is planted late and if conditions are not fit, there is a greater risk of winter survival issues. Pick fields that can gain more from the crop diversity, such as those plagued with a disease or insects, while improving soil health. A variety different from "spring wheat,” winter wheat is ideally planted in the last week of September. Cash crop farmer Dan Caron, who farms at Port Lambton in Lambton County, got in an early crop of winter wheat this year. As we saw with the 2019 winter wheat crop, if winter wheat is planted late and if conditions are not fit, there is a greater risk of winter survival issues. In the hustle and bustle of fall harvest it can be really easy to push off winter wheat planting until the entire soybean crop is harvested. The 2018 growing season had its challenges with a cool, wet spring followed by hot, dry weather during the critical grain fill period. ¥ Planting methods. With a great deal of soybeans being planted later than normal, harvest is pushed back as well this year. Seed-placed starter fertilizer has be shown to increase yields, on average, by 7.5 bushels per acre. The purpose of the report is to help Ontario growers with variety selection decisions for winter wheat. This lack of attention to detail in the fall has an impact on how well the crop manages the stressors Mother Nature may throw at it and can ultimately make or break your crop. They made sure their winter wheat crop had the best start possible. Nice, dry conditions, the ground worked up nicely,” he said. Lastly, be prepared to adjust! So if we want a profitable wheat crop we need to pay attention to the details in the fall and give it the best chance to survive whatever Mother Nature throws it’s way! Attention to detail starts with planting your crop on time (Figure 1)! Soil health is a fundamental component of sustaining family farms in the future. Wheat grows best in 70 to 75 degree Fahrenheit ((21 to 24 degrees Celsius) weather, so you should plant your wheat when the weather is approaching that temperature (and eventually rising). L.A. Hunt, Department of Crop Science, Ontario Agricultural College . 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