|
|
|
|
November 14, 2022
In This Edition:
|
|
Notes from Pennington
Evaluating seedling wheat stands this fall
 By Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat systems specialist pennin34@msu.edu
Evaluating your wheat fields before snow blankets them this fall will be very informative.
Much of wheat’s yield potential is determined by how early and uniformly the seedlings emerge. Noting differences within and between fields may help fine-tune a grower’s planting practices.
Uniform emergence
Environmental conditions, such as dry weather, can make it particularly challenging to have seedlings emerge relatively uniformly. Particularly when seed is broadcast over soybeans or sown in dry soils, some fields can exhibit a significant delay in seed and seedling development until the rain finally arrives.
In most cases, enough viable seed can still produce reasonably good stands, but emergence in these fields may occur over a couple of weeks. This means that seedlings can be at different developmental stages throughout the season.
The timing of future herbicide applications, growth regulators, and fungicides (especially for Fusarium head scab) should key on the most mature plants in the field except where the younger plants vastly outnumber the early- emerged seedlings.
Uniform plant densities
Gaps and uneven growth within a stand should be noted, as well as any obvious causes such as crop residue, traffic or drill performance, so corrective action can be taken before next fall.
Also, make note of unhealthy pockets of seedlings and attempt to diagnose the problem. Particularly if the roots appear discolored, the seedling could be mailed for free (thanks to the Michigan Wheat Program’s sponsored diagnostic program) to the MSU Diagnostic Services.
Submitting soil samples to a soil analysis laboratory could also be helpful; collect soil from both the poor area and from an adjacent good area to aid in diagnosis.
Seedling population
It’s worthwhile determining the number of seedlings per foot of row (this exercise is much easier if performed before extensive tillering). Generally, early planted wheat would have 14-20 plants/foot of row (7.5-inch row spacing), whereas one might aim for 22 or more seedlings if sown in mid-October.
Knowing the number of seedlings per foot of row is useful in determining how closely it aligns with the intended seeding rate and drill settings.
Table 1 can serve as a reference. For example, if a grower thought he was dropping 1.8 million seeds/acre (26 seeds/row foot) but finds an average of fewer than 20 seedlings/foot, it would be worthwhile to determine the reason.
In some cases, it might be due to overestimating the seeding rate. In other situations, it may be associated with difficulties in germination or emergence.
Seeding depth
Confirming actual seed depth placement can also be worthwhile. The actual depth can be determined by simply digging up the seed or measuring the distance between the seed and the crown. Where the seed is next to the crown, one can surmise that the seed was placed a half-inch or less below ground.
Where a mesocotyl is visible between the seed and crown, its length plus another 0.5 inch approximates the seed’s original depth.
Development
Generally, the goal is to have wheat planted early enough so that there is sufficient warm weather for the main shoots to develop a couple of tillers. This stage of growth suggests that the plant has a well-developed root and shoot system for winter survival and for taking full advantage of the next spring’s growing environment.
Weeds
A grower should also note any weeds that have emerged, particularly winter annuals that appear this fall. Horsetail, a strong candidate for Michigan wheat’s “public enemy number #1” among weeds can emerge in the fall or spring. If horseweed is present or anticipated, growers need to develop a strong herbicide program to keep this weed in check.
In the future, growers wanting to use red clover as a cover crop may need to key on fall herbicide treatments.
Office work
Obviously, these field evaluations are most constructive if one creates a record for each field. This record would at least include variety, seed size and drill settings. It’s also a good idea to save a seed tag that includes lot number and seed characteristics.
Lastly, farmers need to remember that the Farm Service Agency acreage report deadline for fall-planted small grains acreage is November 16.
Table 1: Comparing actual seedlings population to seeding rate.
| seeding rate (mill./acre) |
Seeds/
feet row * |
| |
|
| 1.4 |
20.1 |
| 1.6 |
23.0 |
| 1.8 |
25.8 |
| 2.0 |
28.7 |
| 2.2 |
31.6 |
| |
|
* Target seeding rate/ 43560 X 0 .625 = seeds/feet of row (7.5” spacing).
|
|
Don’t miss Dec. 19 Integrated Crop & Pest Management (ICPM) Update Meeting!
 One of December’s traditions is the season-ending ICPM meeting held at the MSU Livestock Pavilion, 4301 Farm Lane, Lansing, just south of the University campus. The season wrap-up allows agribusinesses and growers to make timely year-end business decisions.
This year’s meeting takes place on Monday, Dec. 19 from 8 am-4 pm. It will be held both in-person and in virtual format (Zoom). Click here to register or for more information.
Agenda items include commodity updates on wheat, corn and soybeans; recap of 2022 wheat variety trials; disease and insect issues; nutrient management; and related topics.
Cost to participate is $65/person when registering in advance to include light breakfast, hot lunch, refreshments and the 2023 MSU Weed Control Guide. Online cost is $35, and also includes the Guide.
Farmers, agribusiness representatives, retail sales and service professionals and private crop consultants are invited to participate.
|
|
Get ready for Great Lakes Crop Summit
 The schedule is out! Full details are now available, and registration is live for the 2023 Great Lakes Crop Summit (GLCS), to be held January 25-26 at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant.
GLCS keynoters will be Gregg Doud, vice president of Global Situational Awareness and chief economist at Aimport Research. Also, Damian Mason a popular speaker and national media contributor on the future facing US production agriculture.
In addition, there are 28 break-out sessions focused on special interests. Of particular note for Michigan wheat growers are sessions on:
- The Two Fs of Wheat: Fertility and Fungicide – Dr. Kurt Steinke, Dr. Marty Chilvers
- Developing New Tools for Detecting and Mitigating Late Maturity Alpha-Amylase and Preharvest Sprouting in Wheat – Dr. Amber Hauvermale, Washington State University
Other topics of interest provide an overview of the fertilizer market in 2023, the Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program, Wind and Solar Contracts, The Six Pillars of a Marketing Plan, and Land Values in 2023 and Beyond.
Click here for a full look at the two-day program. You must register for the event and also make your hotel reservations at Soaring Eagle, so make sure you go on-line soon! All the details at www.greatlakescropsummit.com.
The Michigan Wheat Program along with Michigan Soybean and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan are the partners working together to bring you this event. We can’t wait to see you there!
|
|
Thumb Ag Day returns on Dec. 14 in Ubly!
 The 2022 Thumb Ag Day is back in-person at the Ubly Heights Country Club, 2409 E. Atwater Rd., near Ubly, on Weds., December 14. The event opens with exhibits at 8:30 a.m.; classroom sessions begin at 9 a.m.
Topics of the day’s presentations include:
- Wildlife Management for Crop Damage
- Using Ag Data to Maximize Productivity and Profits
- Soybean Profitability, Tar Spot in Corn Silage, Insect Pressure
- Succession Planning
- Carbon Markets
- Feedlot Research Update
- Direct Marketing Meat, Poultry
- Profitable Feeding Systems
- Hay-lage and Dairy Extension Work
In addition, Thumb Ag Day features exhibitors of which the Michigan Wheat Program will be in attendance. Admission is free although the buffet lunch costs $10/person. RUP and CCA credits are pending.
For more information contact Jenna Falor of MSU Extension for Huron County and the Thumb area at (989) 269-9949.
|
|
Watch for 2023 Great Lakes YEN registration!
 Sign-up is coming soon for wheat farmers interested in the 2023 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) program. About 50 wheat growers from each the US and Canada are participating in the first full year of Great Lakes YEN, which wraps up this winter.
Farmers participating in Great Lakes YEN agree to collect soil, tissue and grain samples at specific times throughout the year and send them to a lab for analyses. Additionally, YEN participants are expected to:
- Keep a record of all crop inputs, track crop growth stages and enter field data by established deadlines;
- Download software and/or an app and use it for data entry;
- Participate in the year-end meeting; and
- Accept and arrange third-party verification of yield.
Further information is found by clicking here, to connect with the Great Lakes YEN “Frequently Asked Questions” web page. Applicants that help the YEN achieve geographic and soil diversity and are willing to share required data will be prioritized in the selection process. Except for confidential individual field benchmarking reports, farm data will otherwise be anonymized prior to publication.
To remain informed on this emerging Canadian-Michigan partnership – and when new participants can register – visit www.GreatLakesYEN.com.
|
|
Deadline extended to Nov. 21st
Last few days to sign up for AgCORE leadership program
 The Michigan Wheat Program in partnership with the Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan Potato Industry Commission is excited to announce the application period for its new MI Ag CORE program for up-and-coming leaders has been extended through November 21!
The two-year-old MI Ag CORE (Communication, Organization, Relationships and Engagement) is a development opportunity for any farmer or agricultural professional interested in advancing his or her leadership skills and experience.
The year-long program consists of seven total sessions (three in-person, four virtual) and covers a number of important topics including human resources, communications, dealing with different personality styles, and how to get the most out of your people resources.
Click here to visit the MI Ag CORE website to download the class information and learn how you or someone you know can apply.
|
|
Grain Marketing Meetings begin in February
 Three meetings to help farmers grow their knowledge of the grain markets and consider new strategies to minimize financial risk, get underway in February.
Wheat markets specialist Angie Setzer, marketing specialist at Consus – and a previous presenter at Michigan Wheat Committee programs – will present the sessions.
Choose the meeting date that works best for you:
- Feb. 2, 2023 – MSU Extension – Eaton County, to be held in Charlotte
- May 2, 2023 – Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center in Frankenmuth
- Aug. 1, 2023 – MSU Extension – Gratiot County, to be held in Alma
Cost to attend is $20. Each workshop runs from 10 am to 12 noon. Click here to register for one or all of the sessions. A Zoom webinar is available for each session, also at a cost of $20.
|
|
Farm Service Agency 2022 County Committee ballots in the mail
 The US Department of Agriculture began mailing ballots last week for Farm Service Agency county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country.
Elections are occurring in certain areas for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their ballots postmarked by Dec. 5, 2022, for their vote to be counted.
|
|
National Wheat Foundation Now Accepting Applications for Scholarship Honoring Ag Students
 The National Wheat Foundation is now accepting applications for the Jerry Minore Scholarship, honoring students pursuing a career in agriculture. The scholarship is available to college students for the 2023 academic year, with an application deadline of December 31st. Click here for more information.
“The scholarship is meant to support students’ efforts who have a passion for agriculture in their studies,” said Joe Kejr, Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation. “We hope to see these students play a key role in developing sound ag policy, research new technologies, or other discoveries important to wheat growers, agriculture, and society.”
The late Jerry Minore was a BASF Senior Market Manager and a liaison to the wheat industry. Since his unexpected death in 2012, BASF has partnered with the National Wheat Foundation to fund scholarships and honor his advocacy efforts for wheat growers.
|
|
Bring Michigan wheat to the table this Thanksgiving
 Celebrating harvest and plentiful food is a fall family tradition. Make sure Michigan wheat is part of your Thanksgiving Day menu with this creative side.
In honor of the holiday, the Michigan Wheat Program is bringing back our Fall Harvest Wheat Berries recipe, developed by Bob West of Bob’s Smoked Meats. It was a winner in our Great Michigan Wheat Recipe Contest!
1 butternut squash
½ lb. shiitake mushrooms
1 cup wheat berries
1 box low-sodium chicken stock
1 can chickpeas
10 oz kale
Feta cheese
Juice of 1 large lemon
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
¼ cup + 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp honey
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Combine the lemon juice, vinegar, cider, honey and olive oil and whisk together. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to sit.
Rinse wheat berries thoroughly before cooking. Place wheat berries and chicken stock in saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 1 hour.
Dice squash and sauté in olive oil with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Clean and cut mushrooms into thin slices and add to sauté pan.
Layer kale on a plate. Top with cooked wheat berries, chickpeas, cooked squash and mushrooms. Top with dressing and feta.
This recipe makes 6-8 servings and requires 1-1/2 hours prep time.
|
|
Calendar of events
 If you’re planning a meeting that provides information on wheat, please let us know so we can include it in future editions of this Wheat Wisdom e-newsletter. Drop an email to jody@miwheat.org!
Dec. 19, 2022 – Integrated Crop & Pest Management Update meeting, MSU Livestock Pavilion, Lansing.
Jan. 4, 2023 – Crop & Pest Management Update, Ithaca.
Jan. 9, 2023 – Crop & Pest Management Update, Bad Axe.
Jan. 23, 2023 – Crop & Pest Management Update, Dowagiac.
Feb. 2, 2023 – MSU Extension Grain Marketing Meeting, Charlotte.
Feb. 7, 2023 – Crop & Pest Management Update, Dundee.
Feb. 14, 2023 – Crop & Pest Management Update, Frankenmuth.
Feb. 22, 2023 – Michigan Wheat Program Annual Winter Grower Meeting, Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center, Frankenmuth.
June 14, 2023 – Michigan Wheat Program Annual Summer Field Day, MSU Plant Pathology Research Center, Lansing.
We at the Michigan Wheat Program wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
