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Planting Wheat

All Planting Wheat Content

a wet, snow-covered field with deep ruts in the soil

Stuck in a Rut: How to Deal With Field Ruts this Spring

As spring approaches, planting comes to mind, and for many, this means deciding what to do about last fall’s field ruts.

A green combine harvesting wheat.

Factors Affecting Wheat Production Decisions: Producer survey findings

Recent USDA data shows that during the past 3 years acres devoted to wheat production continue declining in both South Dakota and North Dakota (USDA, 2018). South Dakota wheat acres experienced a remarkable decrease of 31.5% during the past 3 years, compared with a relatively mild drop of 16.4% by North Dakota.

crop fields flooded by spring snow melt. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

Managing Soil and Soil Fertility After Flooding

During floods, your fields will experience different amounts of erosion, sediment deposition, and crop residue accumulation. To avoid compaction of these soils it is crucial to let soils drain and dry out sufficiently before removing any large debris from fields or working the soil.

a field of wheat starting to grow

What Makes Winter Wheat a “Winter Wheat”?

For most of us wheat is wheat; however there is a distinct difference between spring and winter wheat, even though the vegetative characteristics of these two wheat types are very similar. Winter wheat can withstand freezing temperatures for extended periods of time during the early vegetative stage and requires exposure to freezing or near freezing temperature to trigger reproductive stage. In other words, if winter wheat does not go through a period of cold temperatures, then it will not produce seed. Two things needed for winter wheat to perform at optimally and produce good yields are- cold acclimation and vernalization.

SDSU Releases Two New Spring Wheat Varieties

Two new spring wheat varieties, Forefront and Advance are being increased by South Dakota Foundation Seed Growers and will be available to everybody in 2013.

wheat field

Looking Back: A History of Wheat Production in SD

In spite of the open winter and some of the worst drought conditions in history, South Dakota ended up with a very good wheat crop in terms of yield and quality in 2012. The winter wheat yields averaged 50 bushels to the acre; second highest average yield in SD recorded history.

A field of emerging winter wheat in early spring.

Winter Wheat Planting Date Is Important

A five year study conducted in southwestern South Dakota evaluating seven winter wheat varieties over four planting dates from September 15 to November 1 showed that delayed planting decreases yields. The results determined that planting mid September to the first of October consistently had the highest grain yield over the duration of the experiment.

A pile of brown wheat seeds

Fungicide Seed Treatments for Winter Wheat

As producers are preparing to plant winter wheat, one of the decisions to make is whether to use a fungicide seed treatment, and if the answer is yes, which product to use.

a black and white photo or Edgar McFadden

McFadden and Borlaug: Pioneering Rust-Resistant Wheat

During a brief period of time in the Dakota Territory in the late 1800’s, wheat acreage increased from just over 100,000 acres to well over a million acres. During one year in the height of this heyday, 1897, it has been stated that two-thirds of the world’s wheat was shipped from present-day Eureka, SD, and wagons bearing the crop rolled in from as far as 75 miles away.

Blades of green wheat in a wheat field.

Wheat Seed Testing, Pure Live Seed, and Seeding Rates

To legally sell wheat seed in South Dakota, a standard test—following Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) seed testing protocols, for germination, purity, and noxious weeds—is required. This standard analysis, plus a seed count provides information needed to determine the seeding rate.