Southwest wheat farmers’ pre-plant variety, planting date, fertility, and disease and pest management decisions could be keys to profit.

Texas AgriLife Extension wheat specialist Fernando Guillen-Portal, College Station, offers five pre-planting production tips for Central Texas and the High Plains. Jim Swart, executive director, Cereal Crops Research Institute and retired Extension IPM specialist, discusses Northeast Texas wheat production.

Varieties for grain production: High Plains: TAM113, TAM114, T158, Winterhawk, WB4721; Central Texas:  TAM 114, TAM 205, WB 4269, WB 4515, SY Grit

Dual purpose wheat: High Plains: TAM115, TAM113, TAM114; Central Texas: TAM205

“The recommended varieties are based on performance test results from multiple years and locations in Central Texas and the Texas High Plains and comprise the ‘Picks List’ varieties for these regions in Texas,” Guillen-Portal says.

“Criteria for inclusion of a variety into the Pickslist include above-average grain yield, good disease package, excellent grain quality (milling and baking, test weight, protein content), and good performance stability.”

See, Planting date, varieties key considerations for SW wheat 

“Planting time for dryland winter wheat depends on seasonal rainfall and the purpose of the operation. In the Texas High Plains, winter wheat for grain production is typically planted from October to early December, and wheat for forage or dual purposes is generally planted from September to October,” Guillen-Portal says.

“In the Texas High Plains, the most efficient timing of nitrogen application is a split application, one-third prior to or during planting and the remaining two-thirds at topdress, applied just before or during jointing (Feekes stage of growth 5.0).”

“The most prevalent diseases affecting wheat from central Texas to Oklahoma are stripe rust and leaf rust,” Guillen-Portal says. He says available, effective fungicides include: Bumper 41.8 EC, Caramba, Monsoon, Proline, Approach, Headline, Priaxor, Absolute Maxx, Aproach SC, and Alto 100 SL.

“When choosing a fungicide, include timing and recommended rate of application, effect of weather conditions on product efficacy and tank mixture with other chemical products,” he says. “Before using a fungicide, consult with a local Extension agent for recommendations.”

“Common cropping systems adopted for wheat production in the target region may include cotton, corn, and sorghum. When wheat follows one of these crops, it is important to check what herbicides were used in these crops; some might have residual injury effects on wheat.

“Also, depending on previous crop and growing conditions, heavy crop residue might affect wheat stand establishment under minimum tillage. It is a good measure to till the soil accordingly.

“Third, planting at the right seed depth ensures rapid emergence and wheat stand establishment. Optimum depth for wheat is 1.5 inches under favorable conditions, 1 inch under very warm or cool conditions.”

Northeast Texas

Northeast Texas wheat producers have found an economic advantage with soft red winter wheat. Management in this area varies somewhat from West Texas, Swart says.

“Selecting a high-yielding soft red winter variety with good resistance to leaf and stripe rust is the first line of defense for controlling these foliar diseases,” he says. “Rather than basing variety decisions on last year’s results, select one that has performed well over a three-year period. If you want to try a promising new variety, don’t bet the whole farm on it, just plant a field or two.”

Swart says planting date for grain production tracks closely with West Texas. “Based on many years of research, the best time to plant wheat in northeast Texas is October 25 through November 10. Planting before October 25 increases the risk for a Hessian fly infestation.”

He expects no yield penalty for planting after November 10, but says colder, wetter soil conditions can affect stand. 

“Most growers here apply an inexpensive fungicide just before or just after the head emerges to guard against a race change in the rust pathogen or a late season glume blotch infection,” Swart says.  

“Last year we observed little to no damage from foliar plant diseases, so try to keep fungicide costs down. Tebuconazole, at around $2.00 per acre, provides 25 to 30 days of leaf protection. Some years a foliar fungicide can improve yields by 15 to 20 bushels per acre, so it is important to pencil in a fungicide application.”

Regardless of the region, paying attention to varieties, disease history, weed species and planting date can be important factors in profitable wheat production.

Doing a little pre-plant homework can pay dividends.