As we approach the fly-free date for sowing winter wheat, we need a plan to control our most common weedy pests in this crop. The two most common weeds in our wheat every year are poa and ryegrass. The fall is the best time to control these two weeds in wheat. Continue reading
County Standardized Trial (CST) Wheat Results are now available. The 2019 planted wheat crop had it’s challenges to say to the least. Between delayed harvest of the 2019 crop, wet fall, wet spring, late freezes etc. this crop had everyone guessing how it would turn out.
The CST program was able to use data collected from 7 locations (Carroll, Fayette, Gibson, Madison, Moore, Weakley, WTREC) to compile this dateset representing 18 varieties commonly available to TN producers. Overall, the varieties averaged 70 bu/ac with a location average range from 52-97 bu/ac. Varieties are separated statistically at a 95% confidence interval indicated by the Mean Separation, “MS” column. Varieties that have the same letter in the MS column are not significantly different from each other.
CST plots are on-farm large strip trials in design, with a minimum plot length of 300 ft. These plots are conducted using common agriculture practices supported by UT recommendations. Special thanks to everyone involved, especially those cooperating producers and County Agents who make this possible .
Follow the link below to experience the 2020 Milan No-till Field Day at your own pace! You can watch an entire tour by clicking on its name, or just one presentation by clicking on a specific title.
Please note, all links will open in a new tab. Closed captions are available by clicking the “CC” button on the right side of the video’s play bar.
As we get closer to wheat harvest Italian ryegrass has become very apparent in some wheat fields in West Tennessee. At this point it is too late to try to control this weed with a herbicide. However, it is a very visual reminder that the best time to control ryegrass in wheat is in the fall. Continue reading
This article is a reminder about some critters we need to watch for in the coming few weeks. It’s easy to let something slip through the cracks when you are distracted with planting operations. Try to circle back to emerging fields as best you’re able during the first 2-3 weeks after planting to check on plant stands and other issues.
Wheat – True armyworm is the insect most likely to cause issues at this time of year. Even so, it doesn’t commonly require treatment. However, excessive defoliation before the dough stage can reduce yields, and this pest is easily controlled with pyrethroid insecticides. The treatment threshold is 6-8 larvae per square foot while wheat is still in the milk stage. You can read more about true armyworms at Continue reading
Wheat is in bloom across the state and considerations for fungicide applications are being made. While little has been reported on foliar diseases in wheat, the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction model has shown some increased levels of risk for Head Scab. Continue reading
Last week was beautiful. As we were all in the midst of figuring out life during unprecedented times, nature appeared to thumb her nose at the COVID-19 pandemic; dogwoods in full bloom, crappie moving into shallow water, tree shaking gobbles echoing through t-shirt temperature mornings. But after almost a week of beautiful weather in West Tennessee, Easter brought a cold and unfortunately hazardous front through the area that will likely stay with us through the week. As I write this on Monday, the forecast for nighttime temperatures sits in the mid to lower 30s for the next several days. These temperatures likely summon difficult memories of the Easter Freeze of 2007. With that in mind, I wanted to pass along a little information that will hopefully put you at ease. Continue reading
As temperatures warm up, be on the lookout for diseases developing. While disease levels in TN wheat has remained low that can change quickly. This article provides some general info on common wheat diseases one might see and management options.