Wheat condition varies from one end of the state to the other, largely due to available water since planting last fall. Overall, wheat condition was below average and growth stage was more than two weeks behind average, according to Monday's report from the Nebraska Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Wheat condition was rated 22% very poor, 28% poor, 39% fair, and 11% good, with none reported as excellent. Approximately 79% of the crop had jointed, behind last year's 100% and the average of 92%. Seven percent of the state's wheat had headed, well behind 93% last year and the long-term average of 38%.
Following are reports and photos from Extension across the state.
Stephen Baenziger, UNL Professor of Agronomy: In eastern Nebraska, we have more than adequate moisture. The wheat is flowering so we have sprayed critical trials with fungicides to prevent scab. (See Wheat Disease Update.) The main diseases we have seen are powdery mildew and bacterial streak. The crop looks excellent if is not damaged by all these storms. Lodging has already begun, but the wheat may fluff back up if the rains stop. (May 29, 2013)
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UNL wheat variety plot (left) looks good from the road, but on closer examination, leaf rust pustules are evident in varieties with less resistance. (Photos by Randy Pryor)
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WIth wet conditions, fungi (mushrooms) are more visible as they break down corn residue in no-till wheat.
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Randy Pryor, Extension Educator in Saline County: Most of the wheat recently headed and a large area in southeast Nebraska is rated on the Fusarium Head Blight Prediction Center http:www.wheatscab.psu.edu as being at medium risk for scab. Stephen Wegulo feels we are at high risk for scab just as the wheat is entering the flowering stage. With little wind Friday, some producers were flying on fungicide. Wheat that appears to be green from a distance has a lot of early signs of rust developing on flag leaves. There will be a difference between varieties on stripe and leaf rust resistance. Weather has been conducive for rust development this past week. Now the recommendation would be either Caramba or Prosaro for rust control and some scab control.
A few fields here displayed sulfur deficiency again this year. The photo shows a field with a response to ammonium sulfate fertilizer applied late on May 17. After a rain on May 18, the plants turned green again by May 22. It’s unknown how much effect this late application of sulfur will have on yield.
The wheat variety trial in Saline County is in an area that received 7.1 to 7.7 inches of rain in 3 days with 3 to 5 inches of rain in one storm. This added to flooding along Swan and Turkey creeks and the Big Blue River. NRD flood control structures in a couple locations reached emergency spillways and farm ponds at historical lows filled in three days. Some hail damaged occurred in the county but it has not been a major issue. (See schedule of UNL wheat plot tours.) (May 30, 2013)