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As with many growers we had a difficult time getting all of our winter wheat planted in the “Optimal” planting date window in 2009. A significant number of winter wheat acres across Wisconsin were planted under the full knowledge of reduced crop insurance coverage as well as reduced yield. Given that the 10-day weather outlook calls for reduced temperatures as well as potential flurries I was interested in the “state” of our November 13th planted winter wheat in Janesville WI. In Image 1. we see that the radicle, seminal roots, and coleoptile have all emerged. In wheat the radicle and seminal roots will be the first structures to appear. Only after the seminal roots and radicle begin to imbibe water will the coleoptile begin to elongate.

For those winter wheat acres that were planted in the last few days remember that winter wheat will vernalize once the radicle emerges from the seed as fall growth will continue as temperatures fall to zero.

Literature referenced: R.J. Cook and R.J. Veseth. 1991. Wheat Health Management.

Given our 7- day weather outlook and the fact that the winter wheat we planted on October 1^st is barely spiking it is obvious that the drop dead date for trying to get the rest of our winter wheat planted in 2009 is quickly approaching. Unfortunately assigning a strict calendar date to end planting is difficult given the fact that we don’t know what the weather will be like from now until Christmas or the ground freezes (whichever comes first). What we do know is:

• From our data at our Arlington and Lancaster winter wheat sites we see significant yield loss as planting date is delayed from mid-September to mid-to-late October (Table 1)

Table 1. Planting date effect on grain yield and winter survival at Lancaster and Arlington WI, 2009.

• At this point of the season crop insurance coverage is reduced to 60% of the original guarantee (see Recommendations for Winter Wheat Establishment in 2009 for more details).

• A warm November or December can do wonders. Our winter wheat variety trial was planted at our Janesville location on November 8^th 2006 and averaged 76 bu per acre whereas our Arlington site was planted on September 28^th 2006 and yielded 78 bu per acre. However given our record cool season I would not mortgage the farm on a warm November/December.

• If a grower is still planning on planting winter wheat it is likley for reasons other than just yield (i.e. manure ground, straw, setting up a rotation, etc.). To ensure the best possible success given our planting and growing environment:

1. Plant “new seed

2. Plant fungicide treated seed

3. Plant a minimum of 1.75 million seeds per acre (more would be better, up to 2.2 million)

For additional information regarding wheat establishment please see Recommendations for Winter Wheat Establishment in 2009

Delayed maturity and inclement weather has greatly delayed/slowed our harvest progress. The rain however has given us a chance to get accurate early yield estimates at a few of our sites. Across the seven experiments we have harvested to date soybean grain yield has ranged from 48 (one of our Mn x glyphosate experiments) to 65 bushels (one of our inoculant experiments) per acre. We have only harvested sites near Arlington and Waterloo WI. As soon as it dries out and our beans become harvest ripe we hope to hit the road and begin harvest at our other out-state experimental sites.

As we prepare for the 2009/10 winter wheat production year it is good time to reflect back on the problems that we encountered and devise practical solutions that we can integrate into our upcoming field season. The most widespread issue in our 2009 wheat crop was winter-kill. In our field assessments winter survival was impacted by four major factors, three of which growers have direct control over.

1. The most obvious factor during a drive-by assessment was location within a field. Areas that were sheltered from driving winds as well as areas that held snow such as fence lines or shaded/wooded areas provided protection for crown tissue and increased winter survival.
2. Planting depth: Variability across a field with no topographical effect was mainly driven by planting depth. Wheat that was planted at less than 0.5 inches demonstrated more winterkill than wheat planted at the 1 inch depth. Please see: (Recommendations for winter wheat establishment in 2009 for more information).
3. Genetics (winter-hardiness) played a huge role in 2009. Winter survival ratings ranged from 16 to 69% at our Chilton WI variety trial site and 22 to 73% at our Arlington WI variety trial site. For specific information regarding varietal winter survival ratings please see Wisconsin winter wheat performance tests – 2009.
4. Planting date: Results from our Lancaster and Arlington WI research sites show that yield and winter survival decreased as planting date was delayed (Table 1. and Image 1.). Given the delayed maturity of Wisconsin’s field corn and soybean crop and the fact that delayed planting decreases winter survival growers should put greater weight in 2009 on selecting winter-hardy wheat varieties.

Images and phone calls related to Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) have been coming into our offices over the last 7-10 days. Many of the suspect fields are being positively diagnosed with SDS. Paul Esker and I walked a field this morning with Matt Hanson, Doge County Crops and Soils Agent, and found a field that was most likely SDS. The symptomology in this field was odd in that it was appearing in small rings across the field and only in certain varieties. Recent literature however has suggested a positive relationship between soybean cyst nematode and SDS. Therefore we would recommend that anyone finding SDS also check for SCN. Remember the WI Soybean Marketing Board provides free testing for SCN for Wisconsin soybean growers. (For more information on this test please click here).