| | The unusually dry and cool spring weather conditions across much of central and southern Alberta during May and June, and into July, resulted in below normal growth and yield potential for some crops, with canola often being the most significantly affected.
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"In the latter part of July and first two weeks of August, weather was unusually wet resulting in better soil moisture conditions," says Dr. Ross McKenzie, research scientist - agronomy with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. "The continued cool wet weather in August will further delay fall harvest across Alberta. However, for farmers with fields that will be harvested before the end of August, seeding a winter cereal in fields with good soil moisture could be considered."
Winter cereal crops are excellent for inclusion into a crop rotation. Winter cereals include winter wheat, fall rye and winter triticale.
"Winter wheat is an excellent crop for many southern and central Alberta farmers to consider growing," says McKenzie. "It is usually harvested several weeks earlier than spring wheat the following year. Including winter wheat in the crop rotation spreads out the workload and results in good time management for farmers. In most years, winter wheat potentially can be up to 20 per cent higher yielding than spring wheat, making it an economically attractive crop."
Growing winter wheat is fairly straight forward; however, management practices are quite different. To successfully grow winter wheat, a number of specific management practices must be followed: selection of the best variety for the area; seeding date, rate and depth; proper fertilizer types; amounts and time of application; and, weed control.
"In southern Alberta, AC Bellatrix and Radiant are the newest and best varieties for farmers to grow," says McKenzie. "Both varieties were developed at the Lethbridge Research Centre by Dr. Rob Graff. In central Alberta, farmers could also consider CDC Osprey, which is very good for both quality and winter hardiness."
Ideally, winter wheat should be direct seeded into standing stubble. Seeding into canola, mustard or pea stubble offers crop rotation advantages such as reduced weed problems, volunteer is easy to control, and there is reduced potential for insect and disease problems. Standing stubble will help trap snow, acting as an insulator. Four inches of snow will normally provide sufficient insulation to ensure over winter survival.
In southern Alberta, farmers should ideally seed winter wheat in the first two weeks of September. Farmers in central Alberta should consider seeding winter cereal crops in the last week of August or first week of September. Recent research has shown that seeding delays can result in significant (20 to 30 per cent) yield decrease with both winter wheat and winter triticale.
"The ideal seeding rate for winter wheat is higher than what most growers use for spring wheat," says McKenzie. "Generally, winter wheat should be seeded at a minimum rate of 120 pounds per acre to achieve a plant stand of 250 plants per square meter (23 plants per square foot). Actual seeding rate should be based on the 1000 kernel weight of the seed to be planted. Winter wheat has considerable ability to tiller, but best yields are obtained with higher seeding rates. Ideally, narrower row spacing of seven to nine inches is best.
"Winter wheat has a very short coleoptile, the extension of the seed embryo that pushes its way through the soil to the surface, from which the first leaf develops. It is very important to seed winter wheat 0.5 to 1.0 inch (1.5 to 2.5 cm) deep. Winter wheat which is seeded deeper than one inch will result in reduced emergence."
"Soil temperature can dramatically affect the time it takes winter wheat to germinate," says McKenzie. "In a moist soil, winter wheat will take only seven days to germinate and emerge at a soil temperature of 20° C, while it takes 12 and 25 days to emerge at soil temperatures of 10 and 5° C, respectively. Later seeding results in a longer germination period, later emergence and delayed crown development, which increases the risk of poor winter survival."
When it comes to fertilizing winter cereals, research has shown that phosphate placed with or near the seed at the time of seeding improves plant growth in the fall resulting in better winter hardiness. An amount of approximately 20 to 25 lb/ac of phosphate is usually adequate and is most effective when placed with the seed.
It is wise to soil test to determine N and P soil levels, to accurately determine N and P fertilizer requirements. If time does not permit soil testing, or if fall soil moisture conditions are very dry, it is best to apply approximately 40 to 70 per cent of estimated nitrogen requirements at the time of seeding, soil test in late fall and then apply additional nitrogen in early spring based on soil moisture conditions.
For further information on fertilizing winter wheat refer to the fact sheet Fertilizing Winter Wheat in Southern Alberta (Agdex 112/542-1), available on Alberta Agriculture's website at www.agriculture.alberta.ca/publications
"Due to the competitive nature of vigorously growing winter wheat, weed pressure tends to be lower than with other crops," says McKenzie. "Winter annuals, such as stinkweed and flixweed are the greatest problem. However, these can often be controlled with inexpensive products such as 2,4-D or MCPA.
"Although it is a hearty crop, winter wheat should only be seeded into 'clean fields', without any green volunteer cereal growth. Volunteer grain can harbour an insect called the leaf curl mite, which can transmit a virus called wheat streak mosaic. Any actively growing green vegetation such as volunteer grain or grasses can serve as a host for the mites. If winter wheat is seeded into stubble with green volunteer or by adjacent green fields, the mites will move from the host plants into the winter wheat after emergence and spread the virus. The damage from this disease can range from severe to complete crop failure. Cultural controls are the only way to control this disease. AC Radiant is the only variety to grow, if there is a concern with the wheat curl mite. This in the only variety with wheat curl mite resistance."
Winter wheat can be an excellent crop to include in a crop rotation. By following simple, straightforward management practices it can be an easy and very profitable crop to grow.
Contact:
Dr. Ross McKenzie
403-381-5842 |
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