Issue 8 June 1997	"Spring Wheat Doc" Offers Crop Treatment Prescriptions
Library Home E-Mail Back Prairie Grains is the official publication of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, South Dakota Wheat, Inc., and the Minnesota Barley Growers Association.	Wheat growers can save money and get more timely crop treatments this growing season, with a new service offered by "spring wheat doctors." Ed Vasey, retired from North Dakota State University after 31 years as a soil fertility and plant nutrition specialist, and Lee Mayer, who farmed near Mott, ND for 35 years, have formed a crop consulting business, Spring Wheat Doctor, Inc. of Fargo. The business uses electronic technology to collect and analyze climatic data, which allows them to track the development of a grower's spring wheat crop. With the knowledge of a grower's planting dates, and a wheat development and management calendar developed by Vasey, precise application windows for pesticide and fertilizer treatments can be given. More efficient, timely crop treatments are better for the environment, and better for the grower's pocketbook, they say. During the growing season SWDI subscribers receive, via fax or mail, a weekly report detailing the development stage for wheat in that particular week. Timely prescriptions for best crop management practices also are given. For example, when to treat for different weeds or insects that can damage wheat. The prescriptions are based on four planting dates for each subscriber. The Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers and the North Dakota Grain Growers Association are offering the services of Spring Wheat Doctor Inc. at a 15% discount for members. Through the growing season, the MAWG will also work with Spring Wheat Doctor Inc, to provide timely production information exclusively to members through the members-only Wheat News on FarmDayta and DTN. For more information about receiving the SWDI service, pro-rated for the growing season, call Spring Wheat Doctor Inc. at 1-888-293-8903. 1997 Wheat Management Calendars Available Ed Vasey and Lee Mayer of Spring Wheat Doctor Inc. offer a hard red spring and durum wheat management calendar, which tracks the development stages of a wheat crop and gives treatment windows for applying crop protectants and timing for other management practices. An 11 x17 laminated management calendar costs $25; other formats are also available. To order, call 1-888-293-8903 or fax order to 701-293-8903. n
Copyright Prairie Grains Magazine June 1997