The time is fast approaching for producers to decide what varieties they will planting in wheat fields this fall.

New among the choices this year is SY Southwind, an AgriPro brand hard red winter wheat recommended for the Central Plains with high yield potential.

"SY Southwind is a breath of fresh air for Kansas and Nebraska growers," said Syngenta's Greg McCormack, Plains region key account manager. "Over multiple years it has shown some of the highest yield potential in both irrigated and dryland situations.  It should be a top performer among winter wheat certified seed varieties this year."

SY Southwind's advantages include moderate tolerance to all current races of stripe and leaf rust, good tolerance to barley yellow dwarf virus, and tolerance to Hessian fly. It also shows good straw strength, which helps prevent lodging in adverse weather conditions.

Advantages of  SY Southwind  include the best rust tolerance currently out there. It has moderate tolerance to all current races of stripe and leaf rust, as well as good tolerance to barley yellow dwarf virus and tolerance to Hessian fly. A medium-early maturity and medium-short wheat variety, SY Southwind also shows very good straw strength, which helps prevent lodging in adverse weather.

Consider more than just seed variety

As it has for the last several years, Syngenta is recommending that growers consider more than just seed variety when they make their winter wheat planting decisions.

Syngenta has been working to develop a total system of management surrounding its seed varieties including residue management, seed treatments, and careful attention to seeding rates.

Seed treatments including Vibrance Extreme fungicide and Cruiser 5FS insecticide offer protection from the first moment the seed meets the soil, McCormack said.

He recommended that growers also scout their fields regularly and be prepared to apply foliar fungicides during the growing season. Multiple years of demonstration plot testing has proven the yield benefits of integrated management, McCormack emphasized.

For more information about AgriPro brand certified seed varieties available, visit AgriPro (agriprowheat.com). Follow Syngenta on Twitter (@SyngentaUS) and Facebook (Facebook.com/FarmAssist).