Variety selection, planting date, seeding rate, fertility and early weed and pest management are key factors for Southwest wheat farmers.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Small Grains Specialist Brandon Gerrish, College Station, says the big ones are planting date, seeding rate, and fertility.

“Most producers have decided on varieties,” Gerrish says. For those who have not, he directs them to the annual “Picks List,” an inventory of the best-adapted varieties by region based on numerous Texas AgriLife variety trials.

Kristie Keys, AgriLife Extension agronomy agent, Castro/Hale/Lamb counties, completes irrigated wheat variety trial harvest in Lamb County. (Photo by Calvin Trostle)

Variety characteristics such as standability, resistance to disease and Hessian fly, and other important yield and quality traits can also be found at the Texas A&M variety testing website.

He adds that producers growing varieties that aren’t on the latest Picks List but have produced well over several seasons may be reluctant to change.

“That makes sense,” he says. “Texas is a big state, and although we have 24 trials statewide, we still have gaps, so we don’t recommend a grower abandon a variety that has performed well on a particular farm.”

He recommends that producers who want to try a new variety start with a small acreage.

Picks history

Calvin Trostle, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agronomist, Lubbock, has been working with the Picks List trials for some 25 years.

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He reminds farmers that the listed varieties are not automatically the top grain yields per acre. The Picks List, he says “provides a lot of data that would be hard for a farmer to sort through.”

Trostle explains the advantages of the Picks list for the Texas High Plains:

Early management

Removing “green bridges” such as weeds or volunteer wheat is an important early management task that can help prevent infestations of wheat curl mites and aphids, which can vector diseases such as Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus and Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus.

Emerging dryland wheat, Nazareth, Texas. The planting date is crucial but varies across the state. (Photo by Calvin Trostle)

“Make sure to destroy any potential green bridges two weeks before planting to make sure everything is dead and not transferring diseases, insects, and weeds into the wheat,” Gerrish recommends.

He adds that while seed treatments and delayed planting dates can be helpful, planting resistant varieties is the most effective control method.  

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Planting date

The planting date is a crucial factor but varies across the state. “While some farmers may already be planting in the High Plains and completed by early November, farmers in the southern part of the state will just be getting started at that time,” Gerrish says. “Planting too early into hot soils can lead to decreased germination, while planting late reduces tiller formation and yield potential.”

He adds that concerns with Hessian fly, a potentially devastating pest, pushes back the optimal planting date for the Rolling Plains and Blacklands regions. “Unlike many of the states to the north, Texas does not have a Hessian fly free date; however, our studies have shown that delayed planting can substantially reduce Hessian fly infestations,” Gerrish says. “Planting date studies around Waco and Hillsboro show significantly more flies per tiller when planted in the first week of October versus the first week of November.”

Seeding rate

Seeding rate recommendations have changed as researchers look at planting by seed count instead of pounds per acre. He says farmers may face challenges with determining how many seed to count and weigh to get an accurate estimate. “We’re still working on it."

Current seeding recommendations vary across the state. The High Plains recommendation is 600,000 seed per acre in dryland production and 1.1 million under irrigation. The Rolling Plains rate is 650,000, and the Blacklands recommendation is 750,000 seed per acre.

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Gerrish says the recommended seeding rate for dual-purpose or late-planted wheat should be at least 25% higher. “If they plan to graze it and then cut it for grain, they want to increase the seeding rate because they will be counting on main stem growth for forage and not relying on tillers.”

Fertility

A pre-plant soil test can answer most questions regarding early fertility. “Wheat growers probably want to have their base fertility — phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and other nutrients out at planting," Gerrish says.

“Nitrogen depends on soil tests. If tests show little to no nitrogen, they should add one-third up to one-half recommended nitrogen up front. If the test shows excess nitrogen, waiting might be better.”

Limited irrigation Texas A&M AgriLife wheat variety field trial approaching maturity, Seagraves, Texas. (Photo by Calvin Trostle)

A delay offers a farmer the option of watching the crop for several months before adding more production costs. “If the crop shows promise, adding more nitrogen will be advantageous. If it's drought-stressed and failing, they can save the extra cost."

Weed issues

Resistant ryegrass is an ongoing problem in many wheat fields. Prevention is key. “”Early weed control, especially for grassy weeds, is critical,”  Gerrish says. “Once ryegrass gets established, control is difficult. Hitting it early is crucial.”

Relying solely on metribuzin is likely too late for complete control and may come with some risk, he says. “Though our screenings have thus far shown no phytotoxicity, there are concerns about wheat susceptibility to metribuzin. If a high rate is applied, will it ding your wheat?” Gerrish lists Zidua and Anthem Flex as other good early control options.

Timing, specialists say, with planting, fertility, and pest management are essential factors in early wheat management.