Wheat for Maximum Yield Potential

Wheat Rotation Benefits

• Enhances corn yields following wheat
• Discourages disease, insect and weed issues
• Reduces soybean cyst nematode populations
• Meets the demands for straw, leading to increased income potential
• Provides opportunities for double-crop soybean systems

Cultural Practices, Climate Influence Growth
The plant’s growing environment determines yield potential. Both management and climatic factors influence final yield outcome. To realize yields of 100 or more bushels per acre, a balance, which will combine optimum conditions before flowering and an environment that maximizes photosynthesis during grain filling, must be maintained.

The important steps for intense wheat management that will lead to more efficient wheat production and maximum yields are summarized in the 15 steps below. By adopting these principles and practices, you’ll increase your chances for higher yields and bigger profits.

15 Steps for Maximum Winter Wheat Production

1. Soil test to determine field fertility; select fields that are well-drained.
2. Control perennial weeds such as quackgrass, johnsongrass, hemp dogbane and milkweed.
3. Use good tillage practices.
4. Fertilize for a planned yield of 100 bushels per acre: Nitrogen: 25 pounds per acre in fall, Phosphorus and potassium: maintain adequate levels into fall
5. Select a brand with the highest yield potential for your area, as well as good winterhardiness.
6. Disease protection, such as AgriSolutions™ Incentive RTA® fungicide seed treatment will help protect your seed investment against major seed or soilborne diseases. In fields with a history of aphid infestations at planting, Nitro Shield™ insecticide seed treatment can be used for protection against these destructive pests.
7. Plant at the optimum date for your area. This is usually seven days before or 10 days after the fly-free date.
8. Plant with a drill in 4- to 7-inch rows, incorporating tramlines for subsequent management practices.
9. Seed at a rate of 30 to 40 seeds per square foot, with seed depth of at least 1 inch to enable good root development.
10. Check stand density and scout for potential aphid infestations at seedling stage in the fall. Apply insecticides to reduce aphid numbers, to protect wheat from stunting and to guard against aphid transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus.
11. Check stand density as soon as winter survival can be evaluated in the spring. If stand is adequate (more than 18 plants per foot), apply 25 pounds of nitrogen just before or at tillering. If stand is poor (less than 18 plants per foot), apply 50 pounds of nitrogen to promote tillering.
12. Use proper weed control measures if weed problems are anticipated; scout for aphids as weather warms.
13. Apply an additional 50 to 75 pounds of nitrogen when first node of stem is visible to promote grain filling.
14. Apply a fungicide before boot stage to control disease; scout for armyworms.
15. Harvest on time at optimum grain moisture of 13 to 15 percent.