March 30, 2007

Warm weather and a little moisture over the past few weeks has winter wheat fields throughout the state greening up. A strong cold front this past week brought some welcome moisture, but also some very cold temperatures to western Nebraska. Fortunately, where some of the coldest temperatures occurred (19°F in Scottsbluff), wheat plants were covered in wet, insulating snow. Even where snowfall amounts were light, wheat plants had not developed to the point that serious crop injury would be expected. Growers concerned with possible freeze injury should look at UNL Extension Circular EC132, Freeze Injury to Nebraska Wheat.

The condition of the winter wheat crop varies across the state and even from field to field. The following is a general summary of wheat conditions by regions across the state.

In the Panhandle, differences in winter precipitation between north and south are evident. Much of the southern Panhandle received good winter snowfall, which provided valuable moisture and protection from the dry winter winds. As a result, a good deal of the winter wheat crop in this region is in good condition. There was significantly less snowfall in the central and northern Panhandle, which exposed the crop to water stress, strong winds and soil erosion. The wheat crop is greening up in protected areas, but the green-up is spotty. Areas of weak stand, the result of late planting or a lack of residue cover, are causing concern. In the next few weeks growers will be deciding whether to keep these fields in wheat. Last weekend's rain should make the decision easier.

Much of the winter wheat in southwest Nebraska came through the winter in good condition. There are some exceptions that include late seeded wheat and wheat in low areas where ice and water were present for a long time. Summer fallow wheat in areas that received good rainfall last summer, where weeds received timely control, and where the wheat was seeded at the recommended date have soil water down to 4 feet or more. Soil water in winter wheat seeded without summer fallow (continuous cropping), while adequate at this time, is not adequate to produce a good wheat yield without significant additional precipitation.

Soil moisture conditions in eastern Nebraska are very favorable for winter wheat. Some areas of winter wheat were damaged from ice this winter and melting snow and ice in recent weeks, but these areas tend to be in low spots in fields and do not appear to amount to significant acreage. Winter wheat seeded after corn is still small and stands are a bit spotty. Wet soil conditions are delaying fertilizer and herbicide applications.

For a good part of the state, winter wheat is getting off to a strong start this spring. Only time will tell if this strong start will translate into strong yields at harvest.

Drew Lyon, Bob Klein, Charles Shapiro, Mark Bernards, Bill Booker and Paul Hay
Extension Crops Specialists and Educators