December 1995
Notes From a Roller-coaster Growing Season
By Jochum J. Wiersma, U of M small grains specialist
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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.
A cold, wet spring combined with many acres that did not get worked or harvested in 1994, resulted in a very late start. Most grains were planted in the third and fourth week of May; some growers even planted wheat as late as the second week of July. Although there were exceptions, later-seeded small grains generally yielded less and were of poorer quality than earlier-seeded small grains.
The effect of the delayed start was intensified by the hot weather in June, which caused moisture stress and a faster rate of development. The result of the 90-degree-plus heat was fewer tillers and smaller heads per tiller for small grains, which as cool season grasses prefer temperatures around 65 degrees. In some cases the heat even caused sterility in the head.
June’s hot weather also contributed to weed problems. In many instances herbicide applications were delayed or even canceled to avoid crop injury or stress in young plants. Also, thin crop stands caused by the heat allowed weed flushes to flourish later in the season.
Cold, wet weather shrouded the Red River Valley in early July, and it looked like our familiar fungal nightmare could be back. Initially, a lot of the bleached glumes were the result of the June heat rather than scab. Make no mistake, however, scab affected its share of wheat and barley again but generally, was less severe than the previous two years.
Small grain losses to scab in Minnesota averaged about 8 percent in 1995, according to Roger Jones, U of M extension plant pathologist. He compares that with an estimated average scab loss of 18 percent in 1994, and 33 percent in 1993.
As the season progressed, July settled down a bit. Many were led to believe that the later-planted crop would yield better than the earlier planted fields which suffered more during the heat. This generally was not the case, however.
Stem and leaf rust were not significant and only showed up at the tail end of the season in some of the barley fields. Septoria and tan spot developed slowly, but later the picture changed quickly as temperatures dropped and rain showers provided enough moisture to allow the diseases to develop.
A majority of wheat acres in Minnesota was planted to 2375 and Grandin. Both varieties perform above average with regard to scab, but are below average for the leaf disease complex of Septoria and tan spot. Further, it should be noted that 2375 is more susceptible to shattering than other varieties, and it is not a good competitor under weed pressure.
Some growers did apply fungicides to suppress scab. In U of M fungicide trials, preliminary results showed that the combination of Benlate and mancozeb, two of the primary options available, suppressed scab as well as reduced the effects of Septoria and tan spot. Grandin responded particularly well. More details on fungicide response trials will be available this winter.
Insects caused very few problems in small grains this year, with the exception of the Orange Wheat Blossom Midge, which was more of a problem in North Dakota. In Pembina and Ramsey Counties, the yield reduction because of the insect averaged about 25 percent, and in some cases rose as high as 90 percent. The problem could appear again next year, given the right conditions. Careful scouting for this insect is needed between late boot and early flowering.
Weather has thrown its share of wrenches into our narrow time windows for weed management the last few growing seasons, and that was very evident this past harvest. Fields greened up with foxtail, wild oats, and barnyard grass, among others, and it was not uncommon to drive by weedy fields and not be able to tell what was planted in them.
To enable harvest, many growers climbed aboard swathers while others opted for a chemical dry-down by spraying a herbicide prior to harvest. I know of one farmer who sprayed 5,000 acres; "it was the only way I could combine," he said.
Early on, quality was good and yield respectable, but as the Minnesota and eastern N.D. wheat harvest progressed, yields did not increase and the quality decreased. Ergot and sprout damage became problems. The amount of scab in many lots increased to around 15 percent, with test weights dipping into the mid fifties. The barley crop was not much better; many samples tested showed low levels of DON or vomitoxin, making it difficult to meet malting standards.
This winter, be sure to review your small grain varieties. Compare performance notes from your own farm with varietal trial information elsewhere, such as in this magazine, and make changes if necessary. Also, learn as much as you can about the crop pests which caused problems in 1995 or which may be a threat in 1996. A good source for information is your county extension educator office. Bulletins available there address a number of production topics. Get reference material now so it’s on hand when you don’t have time to run for it in the rush of the next growing season.