In recent years, acres planted to wheat have increased substantially. In fact, the USDA estimated a 12% increase in soft red winter wheat acres in 2021 versus 20201. This equates to roughly 670,000 more acres. So, why is there an increase in acres planted to wheat? Those reasons likely include good price, excellent fall weather, adding diversity to the farm, preventing soil erosion, or efforts to increase soil health.

Regardless of the reason for planting wheat, management is the most important thing when it comes to maximizing your investment. If we think back to 30 years ago, wheat was a crop that required relatively low amounts of management in order to produce a positive ROI. This is not the case today. Wheat has become a crop that requires multiple applications to deliver nutrients, herbicides, and fungicides at optimal timings to not only maximize the yield potential, but produce a positive ROI. maximize the wheat yield potential. As the calendar turns to February, farmers must begin to think about those applications immediately if they have not done so already. The top priorities for early-season wheat management include assessing plant stands, nitrogen, sulfur, and weed management. Things to consider with each of these are listed below.

An adequate stand is the first step for maximizing the yield potential. Scout the field and count how many plants are in a square foot. Typically, 25 plants/ sq.ft. is an adequate stand in a 7.5 in. row spacing.

Split nitrogen (N) applications have a proven track record. Across six years and multiple locations, split applications of urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) provided a $17.24/A. advantage while urea has a $22.13/A. advantage over a single application of N. If budgets, time, or weather only allow for a single application of N, focus that application around the Feekes 5 growth stage at 100 to 110 lb. of nitrogen/A.

N can have a large impact on tillering; therefore stand counts are crucial before applying the first application of N at the “tillering” stage (Feekes 2-3). If the plant stand is less than 25 plants/sq.ft., apply 40 to 50 lb. of nitrogen/A. in the first application. However, if stands are adequate (more than 25 plants/sq.ft.), apply 30 to 40 lb. of nitrogen/A.

 The remainder of the N needs to be applied at Feekes 5. Apply 50 to 60 lb. of nitrogen/A. at Feekes 5 but do not apply after Feekes 6 as wheat becomes very susceptible to leaf burn and injury.

Sulfur is an excellent complement to all N applications as it can aid in the uptake of N, in addition to multiple other things. Applications of 10 to 15 lb. of sulfur/A. with every application has shown significant benefits in plant health and yield.

Weed management in wheat is something that should always be a top priority from pre-plant through harvest. Fall tillage prior to planting is an excellent control method if the weeds are completely uprooted. If cereal rye or annual ryegrass are a concern, herbicides like Axial®, Osprey®, and PowerFlex® provide post-emergence control on these hard to kill grasses. Harmony® is a very popular herbicide that is highly effective at controlling wild garlic and winter annual weeds like chickweed and henbit. Depending on the herbicide and weed pressure, applications can typically be made before or after the second N and S application. Always read the herbicide label before applying.

Wheat is just like any other crop; a proactive management plan is the best plan. Proactive scouting leads to timely applications of nutrients, herbicides, and fungicides that set farmers up to maximize the yield potential. Raising highyielding crops is not a sprint, but rather a marathon that requires dedication the whole growing season!