Winter Wheat Season Is Here – Are You Ready? -

Agricultural field of winter wheat under the snow.

eKonomics News Team

Throughout the Midwestern United States and Western Canada, growers are heading into optimal fall seeding season, and winter wheat is a popular choice for many reasons. Winter wheat is well adapted to a wide range of environments. There are different classes of winter wheat for various purposes that may be better suited to particular environments. In drier areas of the U.S. Great Plains and Canadian Prairies, winter wheat is well adapted to the semiarid nature of the region. In higher rainfall or irrigated areas, winter wheat provides opportunities to extend the growing season by double cropping or provide crop residue to protect soil from erosion.

Plan ahead for the best results

No matter the region, there are best practices that should be top of mind for all growers. Planning for winter wheat may actually start in the spring as one decides on the crop to precede the wheat to allow for optimum wheat planting time. Preparation should include soil testing for nutrient deficiencies, and decisions on variety and seed treatments.

Till or no-till? There are benefits with both systems. No-till provides better moisture retention and insulation during the winter months and protects precious topsoil but provides a more uneven seed bed. Modern no-till seeding equipment options are generally quite good at dealing with crop residue and uneven seedbeds. No-till may promote better soil permeability and greater soil water-holding capacity while increasing soil carbon content. Tillage will incorporate residue and fertilizers better and may also reduce the risk from disease or pests that could be lurking in the stubble. While a uniform stand is the best starting point for winter wheat, colder regions may place a higher value on insulation. Field preparation and proper equipment inspection and calibration are valuable first steps for any successful planting season.

Uniform planting depths and even seed placement are important for early and uniform stand development and sufficient plant growth before the winter vernalization period begins. Production of two or three tillers and good root growth will give the plant a strong start for the following spring. Seeding timing should be planned to achieve proper establishment with sufficient growth to survive winter while avoiding excessive vegetative growth before winter dormancy. Planting too early with too much fall growth can promote greater infection with pests and diseases.

Seeding rates must be carefully managed and regional rates during the optimal time period should be followed. If planting earlier with more time for tillering, rates should be reduced to avoid overly thick stands and risks of lodging and disease. If planting later with less time for tiller initiation or in high-yielding environments, increase seeding rates.

A number of studies have been completed throughout the Midwest to guide growers in their regions with optimal planting times, rates and seed depths.

Michigan State University has completed some important research on winter wheat for growers in the state. They track best timing using the ‘Hessian fly-free’ dates, recommend seeding winter wheat in September, and break down ideal timing by region. Their studies have also found a drop in yield of 0.6 bushels per day after October 1. Depth suggestions are 1-1½ inches in heavy soil, and they recommend deeper planting in dry soil. When planting within the optimal time frames the best rates are 1.2-2.2 million seeds per acre.

South Dakota State University completed a five-year study and recommends the best planting dates September 10-30 in the northern part of the state, and between September 15 and October 10 in the southern half. They saw a steady decrease in yield after these dates. November plantings did not emerge until the following spring. A previous study showed that winter wheat seeded early, between mid-August to early September, also had lower yields than planting during the optimal timings.

Oklahoma State University studies focused on both feed and forage as well as cereal crop performance. October is usually a good time for winter wheat as there should be rain to help the crop get its start. Seeding depths are recommended between 1-1½ inches. Growers should be cautious with use of nitrogen and phosphorus in-furrow to avoid seedling damage and reduced stands from fertilizer salts.

Feeding winter wheat

Nitrogen provides a good head start in the fall and again in the spring but depending on the region, application recommendations differ. In semiarid regions, soil testing can identify residual soil nitrogen that will be available to the crop and can help to reduce over- or under-application. Sufficient nitrogen should be applied at planting to initiate tiller development in the fall before dormancy. This is typically a small portion of the total wheat requirement. The remaining nitrogen may be applied at different times in different environments but should generally be applied before jointing when plant demand increases rapidly. In drier regions with minimal over-winter nitrogen-loss potential, the entire nitrogen requirement may be applied in fall at or before seeding. Consult local recommendations for rate and timing of nitrogen for the wheat type, environment, and production system.

What was previously considered a very tight window for nitrogen application in winter wheat is widening thanks to a study by OSUNPK. They looked at the yield benefits of pre-plant application in comparison to in-season application and found a considerable yield bump when applied closer to the plants’ peak demand period. Applying nitrogen closer to peak plant demand can reduce potential for nitrogen losses.

Finally, the Western Winter Wheat Initiative offers the following guidelines for Canadian winter wheat growers: seed early; seed heavy; seed shallow; seed slowly; seed into standing stubble; and use a seed treatment. Following these guidelines, and regional recommendations, winter wheat growers should reap the rewards of this useful crop.

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