Corn. A later planting date in some regions can move that critical pollination state to later in the season, after the most intense heat. Opt for longer-maturity hybrids that can produce biomass for silage and grain as long as they have time to reach maturity before a hard freeze. Be aware of carryover of Group 2 herbicides (Glean, Ally, Outrider, Amber and others), they advise. If you’re terminating Clearfield wheat and used Beyond on the field, plant to a Clearfield corn hybrid — otherwise the rotation interval is 8.5 months. And, if you’re terminating CoAxium wheat and used Aggressor on the field, that interval is 120 days.

Sorghum. Its optimal planting time around late May and early June, as well as its reputation for using limited moisture to make a crop, may make it an ideal choice for some terminated wheat acres. Experts caution that a thorough burndown and a residual herbicide program is critical to hammer both grasses and pigweeds and preserve double-crop sorghum yields. Conventional sorghums will have rotation restrictions to Group 2 herbicides. However, farmers have options with the Igrowth hybrids (tolerant to imazamox or Beyond) and Double Team hybrids (tolerant to quizalofop or Aggressor). Current herbicide labels don’t address rotation restrictions for these hybrids.

Soybean. In some parts of Kansas, soybeans can be a good alternative to fallow, especially with their dense canopy that can reduce herbicide costs, according to the experts. Select a variety with a later maturity rating, so that the crop can develop a larger canopy before flowering, but also hit seed maturity before frost. You might also be able to plant in 15-inch spacing or less, increasing that early-season light capture, weed suppression and still reducing soil erosion. If you used a Group 2 herbicide like Glean, Finesse, Ally, or others, the most tolerant double crop will be a sulfonylurea-resistant variety like STS, SR or Bolt, say the experts.

Cover crops. Again, this may not be an option for all of the state’s abandoned wheat acres, but there could be some farmers who choose to plant a cover crop. The experts warn that there is less information about herbicide carryover from wheat to cover crops, and little to no mention of rotational restrictions for specific cover corps on most herbicide labels. Look for the statement indicating “no other crops” should be planted for a specified amount of time, or that a bioassay must be conducted before planting the crop, they advise.

Fallow. In the hardest-hit drought zones, farmers have said they’re looking at a summer fallow to bank moisture so that they might go back in this fall with wheat and try again. Those who do say they will still need to apply herbicides to control the moisture-robbing weeds that will crop up.