Representatives from Agri Pro, Polansky Seed, and NU Horizon Genetics were present at the 2024 Winter Wheat Variety Tour in Jefferson County, Nebraska, to highlight the characteristics of their wheat trials. Similar field events were held in early June across Nebraska’s wheat-growing regions.
Wheat producers have a plethora of options to help them achieve their production goals. Some varieties stand out due to their low water requirements or high yield. In eastern Nebraska, the wheat has thrived this season thanks to a combination of low temperatures and ample precipitation.
During an early-June Nebraska Extension wheat variety tour, the wheat at Knobel Seeds in Jefferson County showed exceptional progress and condition. This success is attributed to the management practices of owner Mark Knobel and the favorable weather conditions.
“I’ve been to many tours across the state in the past two weeks, and this field has been managed extremely well,” said Pat Baxa, a Polansky Seed representative. “You are not seeing a lot of pressure and disease here.”
Field Events and Wheat Varieties
The 2024 tour included field events at farms in Jefferson, Banner, Deuel, Perkins, Box Butte, Furnas, Red Willow, and Cheyenne counties. Producers observed how different varieties performed in the field, including wheat developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Agri Pro, and Polansky Seed.
Highlighting Top Wheat Varieties
AP Bigfoot: Known for its leading yield potential, AP Bigfoot is an excellent choice for planting after soybeans and tolerates acidic soil. “AP Bigfoot has very good tolerance for stripe rust,” said Matt Keating, an Agri Pro representative. “This means we can spray these last if we have good yield potential and a fertility program.”
AP Prolific: This variety is known for its prolific production and excellent leaf and stripe rust tolerance. “This does well with more corn in a rotation, which has a higher probability of scab on a year-in and year-out basis,” Keating noted.
Paradise: This variety is easily identifiable by its reddish color as it matures. It offers high yield potential and is ideal for central Kansas and northern Oklahoma. It also boasts high protein content and excellent leaf volume.
Golden Hawk: Released this year by Polansky Seed, Golden Hawk is a medium maturity wheat variety with a strong disease package. “If you have corn residue, this is one of the varieties you should consider,” Baxa advised.
Ruth: Developed by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Ruth is a moderately late-maturity variety that reaches about 33 inches in height and is resistant to soilborne wheat mosaic virus. “This variety has been a consistent performer with good test weight and excellent protein,” said Katherine Freels, a UNL small grains breeder.
NE Prism CLP: For producers concerned about fusarium head blight, NE Prism CLP from NU Horizon Genetics could be the solution. “It has an interesting phenotype; it looks like you are looking through a prism,” Freels said.
Monitoring Wheat Diseases
While Knobel’s wheat fields showed minimal disease pressure, it is crucial for producers to remain vigilant about potential diseases. Stripe rust, for instance, can be a concern with added moisture and lower temperatures. Applying fungicide requires careful timing to avoid residue on the crop.
“The latest you can apply fungicide on wheat is before 50% flowering,” explained Stephen Wegulo, a UNL plant pathologist. “After you apply, you have to wait 30 days if you apply past flowering.” Wegulo also recommended applying fungicide after rainfall when stripe rust is in the area.
Septoria is another rising concern in Nebraska. This fungal foliar disease often occurs with excess rainfall and wheat residue in the field. “For foliar diseases like septoria, we usually recommend application to protect the flag leaf,” Wegulo said. “When it has emerged about 50% or 100%, then you go in and apply.”
Related topics:
Government Pledges Policy Interventions to Stabilize Wheat Prices