This is the time of year to start making your spring plans for wheat. Spring gets very hectic and wheat can be easily forgotten if you don't have a plan. The first place to start is by taking a stand count. There are many ways to take a stand count, but I typically use a 1 ft. x 1 ft. square. In the spring, the plants have emerged, so we are looking at tiller counts. In early spring, targeting 70 to 100 tillers per square foot is ideal.

Tillers help us determine the amount and timing of our Nitrogen (N) applications. If you have fewer than 70 tillers/ft.2, apply 50 to 60 percent of your N at Feekes 3 (green up) and then apply the balance at Feekes 5, or stem elongation. If you have more than 70 tillers/ft.2, you can adjust your application timing closer to Feekes 5 for a one-pass program. It is a PFR Proven™ practice, though, to split your spring N applications. This practice has provided anywhere from 2.8 to 3.5 Bu./A. yield increase over a single application. In our multi-location PFR data, we also show that the 7-year Economic Optimum Nitrogen Rate (EONR) is between 94 to 105 units of actual nitrogen/A.

When pushing for high yields, more N can be applied, but the concern becomes standability. In order to increase standability, look at using a product like Palisade® EC. It is a plant growth regulator that helps mitigate lodging when applied at Feekes 5. It is also a PFR Proven product that has shown a 6.3 Bu./A. yield advantage.

Feekes 8, or flag leaf emergence, is a critical stage in determining wheat yields. The flag leaf produces approximately 75 percent of the photosynthates required for grain fill. Scouting at this time will help you determine if a fungicide application is necessary. This fungicide timing does not help with Fusarium head scab.

To specifically target fusarium head blight (head scab), a fungicide application must be applied at flowering. Timely fungicide applications can greatly reduce or eliminate head scab in wheat. This is important because if head scab is present, the odds of seeing vomitoxin increase as well. We have two products that are PFR Proven to help reduce the occurrence of head scab in wheat. When applied at Feekes 10.5.1 (flowering), we have seen consist yield increases from both Caramba® and Prosaro® 421SC. Not only have we seen yield increases, but the grain quality is often better, providing more options for storage and sales.

Insects also need to be scouted for throughout the year. Early in the season, keep your eyes out for aphids. Aphids become active when temperatures warm up to above 48°F. Aphids can infect young wheat plants with Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. As the season progresses and flag leaf starts to emerge, keep your eyes out for armyworm. Armyworm can quickly destroy a great wheat crop. If you are finding more than four armyworms feeding in a square foot, it is time to spray.

At green up and through emergence, scout for weeds. There are not many options for late applications of herbicides in wheat.

Wheat stands look very good in most areas. To target high yields, set a plan and implement it and you will be successful!

Beck's 2018 PFR Wheat Book and studies are now available on our searchable PFR Studies website: 