The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Winter Wheat Variety Plot Tour for southeast Nebraska will be Thursday, June 13, north of Fairbury. Attendees can view wheat varieties and learn more about disease and fertility management as well as a study on enhancing protein content. The event, sponsored by Nebraska Extension, will begin at 6:30 p.m. in a replicated, wheat variety plot hosted by grower Mark Knobel.

The Fairbury tour is one of seven winter wheat field days this summer.

Speakers will include:

• Stephen Baenziger, UNL Wheat Growers Presidential Chair and wheat breeder, who will discuss wheat variety options for southeast Nebraska and characteristics of wheat cultivars in the plot. There are 24 wheat varieties and experimentals in the plot, according to the host, Extension Educator Randy Pryor.
• Stephen Wegulo, Nebraska extension plant pathologist, will discuss wheat disease management strategies, effects of diseases on wheat yields, and fungicide application strategies.
• Ray Ward, soil scientist and owner of Ward Laboratories, Kearney, will provide the latest nutrient management information for wheat and reasons why he keeps wheat in his rotation on his farm in Saline County.
• Pryor will discuss his study on the influence of late season foliar nitrogen applications to enhance protein content in wheat. He said a few wheat growers in the area are now capturing protein content incentives.

Attendees can count on unbiased, research-based information from Nebraska Extension at field events such as the wheat variety plot tour, Pryor said. Many participants discover new knowledge and ideas and meet other farmers striving for high-yielding wheat as part of a crop rotation scheme.

Refreshments will be served at the tour and will include freshly baked kolaches made from wheat. Pre-registration is not required.

Site Location and Contact Information

From Fairbury: Travel north four miles on Highway 15 to 718 Road (dirt road) and go one mile west on 718 Road and ¼ mile north on 567^th Avenue.  The plot is on the west side of the road. (If muddy, take the following Bower corner directions).

Traveling South on Highway 15:  Note the bridge south of Western is under construction, therefore, you will need to take a rock road detour around it to the west, back to Highway 15. An alternate route (all highway) is to take Highway 4 west of Plymouth to Highway 15. From there, travel south on Highway 15 three miles to County Road 720 (Bower corner sign) and go one mile west on County Road 720 and 1 3/4 miles south on 567^th Avenue. The GPS plot location is 40.237047, -97.199323.

For more information about the plot tour, contact Randy Pryor at the Nebraska Extension office in Saline County, phone (402) 821-2151, e-mail randy.pryor@unl.edu, or view the program flyer at saline.unl.edu.