Crops
During the growing season, SDSU Extension provides weekly production recommendations.
Growing Wheat
All Growing Wheat Content
Scouting Wheat Fields
Scouting is the process of monitoring fields and crops during a growing season. It can provide producers with field specific information on pest pressure and crop injury.
Water Use by Plant Stage
Over the growing season, solar radiation, air temperature and plant size are the dominant factors in determining evaporative demand and the rate of water use by wheat. Water use can vary dramatically on a day-to day basis, depending on climate and wheat health.
Improving Protein Content in Wheat
Wheat producers in South Dakota always strive to grow a premium product. Quality in wheat often depends on test weight and protein content.
Planning for Quality in Wheat
Excess moisture and limited field days have made it difficult for producers to add nitrogen to wheat fields this year. This could be a concern, as nitrogen contributes to both yield and protein. This year, it may pay off to take tissue and soil tests from questionable wheat fields to help with nitrogen application decisions.
Winter Wheat Decisions
Winter wheat planting will soon be starting and a number of decisions will have to be made for a successful winter wheat crop, including: the time of planting, the choice of variety to be planted, disease and pest management decisions and crop insurance.
Does Early Fungicide at Tillering Result in a Profitable Yield?
Tan spot and powdery mildew pathogens are two residue-borne pathogens that can infect wheat early in the season. These diseases can lead to poor tillering, and their continued development can lead to yield loss.
Low Temperature Effects on Winter Wheat
Low temperatures during the early morning hours of May 9–11, 2020 may have had detrimental effects on winter wheat in some areas of South Dakota. However, cooler spring temperatures that have slowed the winter wheat development this year may have actually been beneficial to S.D. producers, as later-maturing wheat is not as susceptible to injury from freezing temperatures.
Grasshoppers May Be an Issue for Winter Wheat This Fall
Large grasshopper populations have been observed in Central South Dakota. These populations have required management in other crops and should be monitored prior to and during winter wheat planting.
Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results
The 2021 spring wheat reports include data from 11 locations with regional summaries.