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The agronomic characteristics of winter wheat varieties recently developed or evaluated by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station are compared in this publication with other varieties grown in the state. Varieties recommended for production in the respective districts of Montana are designated by an asterisk (*). A brief description of each variety is given which may include a variety's particular advantages or disadvantages.
The information was extracted from the Intrastate Winter Wheat Nursery and the Soft White Winter Wheat Nursery Reports. These reports are prepared by research personnel of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.2/
Where available, up to six years of yield data are shown for the varieties. In some years data are not available because of hail, frost, or other unavoidable causes, or newness of the variety.
The comparable average for winter wheat is calculated by using Redwin as a "check" variety, and by establishing an "average check yield" for a 10 year period. The "average yield" for any variety is the total production divided by the number of years grown.
In order to compare the yield of each variety with the average yield of the check (Redwin), a completed equation is shown for illustration. Using a comparable average, all varieties are then directly comparable to the 10 year average for Redwin, even though some varieties have been tested only three or four years. All varieties are then directly comparable to each other when in the same nursery.
Illustration of Formula: (Erhardt -- 8 years at Bozeman -- Dryland)
| Check Variety (Redwin) 10 Year Average = | 72.16 |
| Check Variety (Redwin) Average Yield for last 8 years = | 72.67 |
| Variety (Erhardt) in question: Average Yield for last 8 years = | 81.16 |
| Erhardt | 8 year avg. yield | 81.16 | |
| or | = 1.117 (111.7%) | ||
| Check (Redwin) | 8 year avg. yield | 72.67 |
To convert Erhardt yield to the 10 year comparable average:
111.7 (1.117) X 72.16 (Redwin 10 yr. avg.) = 80.6 Bu/A for Erhardt
KNOWN AREAS OF DWARF SMUT (TCK) INFESTATIONS
Dwarf smut (TCK) can be controlled with a seed treatment (see below).
Dwarf smut (Tilletia controversa Kuhn); also called dwarf bunt, is a fungus disease known to infect winter wheat in certain foothill areas in the intermountain region of Montana. The planting of dwarf smut resistant varieties (Blizzard, Manning, Promontory and Lewjain are currently recommended) as one practical means of control.
The amount of wheat lost each year because of dwarf smut is small in relation to the state's total crop, but individual operators may experience severe losses in heavily infested, localized areas. The disease occurs more frequently in the foothill areas where early fall snow cover is received, protecting the wheat from freezing or below freezing temperatures for an extended period of time and permitting the fungus to invade the plant.
If you farm in the vicinity of one of the shaded areas in the above map, you would be well advised to observe closely your winter wheat crop and consider planting a resistant variety (Hard Red Winter Wheat Table).
CULTURAL PRACTICES FOR WINTER WHEAT
Wheat Quality - Montana produces primarily hard red winter and hard red spring wheats. Continuous improvement of the milling and/or baking quality of Montana grown winter wheat is one of many objectives of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station breeding and development program. All varieties recommended by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station have been evaluated and found to be acceptable for milling and baking performance by the Cereal Quality Laboratory at Montana State University.
The quality of Montana recommended varieties, if grown and marketed within their respective classes, is acceptable by both the domestic users and importing countries. Montana's future as a hard red and hard white winter wheat producing state for both the domestic and export markets rests on the quality of the product.
Climate and Rainfall - Winter wheat is adapted to areas receiving primarily winter and spring moisture and less summer rainfall. Winter wheat is grown in areas receiving from 10 inches of annual precipitation to 20 inches or more. It overwinters best where snow cover protects plants from extremely low temperatures and drying winds over a prolonged period. Most winter wheat is grown on dryland.
Soil - Winter wheat is adapted to a wide range of soil types. On light sandy soils subject to blowing, winter wheat usually makes enough fall growth to provide protection from wind erosion during the winter. On heavier or clay type soils surface crusting may hamper seedling emergence or restrict plant development in the spring. A rotary hoe or harrow is sometimes used to break the crust and to control small winter annual or spring germinating weed seedlings.
Fallow and Tillage - Winter wheat is usually planted on summer-fallowed land and grown in an alternate winter wheat-fallow rotation. The primary purpose of summer fallow is to conserve moisture by destroying weeds and volunteer grain. The practice of planting winter wheat in spring wheat stubble is increasing where favorable subsoil moisture reserves exist or may be expected.
In some areas the alternate crop-fallow system is a major contributor to the development of "saline seeps". In such cases, stored soil moisture and seasonal precipitation have exceeded the moisture used by the plant and lost by surface evaporation. The excess moisture penetrates into the subsoil, fills the substrata and dissolves salts; then flows underground and eventually finds its way to the surface creating "seeps". Such areas become too wet to farm with machinery and the "salty" condition is too toxic for normal crop growth.
In areas where saline seep conditions are present, farmers are encouraged to adopt a winter wheat-barley-summer fallow rotation or other continuous crop sequence adapted to the area. Yields of winter wheat in three-year rotation (winter wheat-barley-fallow) have been higher than when grown in a winter wheat-fallow rotation. Yield depression results from a heavy cheatgrass infestation in the winter wheat-fallow system. The three-year rotation has shown no cheatgrass in 12 years.
Heavy stubble may be a problem where sweep or shovel-type tillage implements are used for fallow and during the seeding operation. First, use a one-way or off-set disc to break down the stubble. The sweep-type implements can then be used for subsequent operations. To help conserve fuel, do not till land more than necessary. Cultivate only on days when weeds will dry rapidly and die. A rod weeder used once or twice late in the fallow season will firm up the seedbed and hold moisture near the surface for fall germination and growth. Shallow tillage, not deeper than 3 to 4 inches, is advised.
Seeding Equipment - Furrow, shoe or hoe drills, with spacings of 9 to 14 inches apart, are used extensively throughout the winter wheat areas. Packers or press wheels insure better winter wheat stands. Seeding in furrows, or in rows protected by ridges, lessens wind erosion and holds snow which protects the plant against extreme cold and drying winds. Drills with single disc or double disc openers are still used on irrigated lands. Air seeders are being used more extensively in some areas.
For seeding in stubble, drills equipped with rolling coulters are necessary to cut the stubble residue and plant crowns to allow uniform penetration of the drill shoe and to prevent plugging or dragging of trash. Coulters are probably unnecessary if residue is 3,000 lbs/ac or less.
Large double discs or slot-type openers are best to follow the coulter and to seed in stubble residue. In eastern Montana, soil scientists recommend using a deep furrow drill in standing stubble.
Fertilizers - Have the soils in each field tested before planning your fertilizer program. Instructions on soil sampling and in interpreting fertilizer recommendations will be found in "Fertilizer Guide for Winter Wheat--Non-irrigated," distributed by your local County Extension Office.
Plant CERTIFIED CLASS SEED of varieties RECOMMENDED by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.
Seed Treatment - Treat all winter wheat seed with a recommended fungicide to reduce losses caused by cereal smut or other seed-borne diseases. Several non-mercurial compounds are registered for grain seed treatment.
Dwarf smut (bunt) can be controlled with a new chemical compound called Difenoconazole. `Dividend’ contains this compound and is available in Montana. If you farm in a dwarf smut area contact your seed dealer or chemical representative for more information about this seed treatment. See page 2 for known areas of dwarf smut infestations.
Diseases are best controlled when all seeds are coated with a seed treatment. Do not over-treat-- Follow recommendation of manufacturer of product as to rate.
Truck-mounted seed treaters, which apply the fungicide as the seed is augered into the drill box, do a good job of treating if operated according to manufacturer's specifications.
Drill box treatments are not effective for general use.
When using any pesticide materials, read the information on the label as to rate of application, specific uses, methods of handling, precautions, etc.
(Return to Dwarf Smut Section (TCK)
Seeding Rate - The following rates and dates for seeding are general. The heavier seeding rate, where indicated, is applicable to plump seed of high test weight (above 60 lbs/bu) or for seed having a kernel size larger than normal for most other varieties. The lighter rates are for the smaller seeded varieties or when test weight is below normal for larger seeded varieties. Seeding rates may be lower if adequate nitrogen and phosphorus amounts are applied at planting. As to seeding date -- DO NOT SEED TOO EARLY in areas where root rot diseases are prevalent.
SEEDING RATE AND DATE FOR WINTER WHEAT
Districts |
Dryland |
Irrigated |
Date of Seeding |
5,6 1,2,3,4 |
30-60 30-60 |
60-75 60-75 |
Sept. 1-15 Sept. 10-25 |
Winter wheat seed lots may vary in the number of seeds per pound depending on the ratio of large-to-small seeds in a seed lot. The average is approximately 15,000 seeds per pound. A precise count of the number of seeds per pound should be made on your seed lot to help calibrate your drill. You can also calculate how many pounds of seed you will need to plant an acre.
In areas where Cephalosporium stripe, wheat streak mosaic virus or other root rot diseases have caused losses, delay seeding until the soil temperature in the seed zone will stay below 55oF except for brief periods during the day. In the southern half of Montana, this is usually September 10 to 20. In Districts 5 and 6, seed between September 1 and 15. Cooler soil temperatures slow root development and reduce the probability of winter root injury and invasion by soil-borne organisms. To reduce the incidence of root and foot rots, plant winter wheat on land previously seeded to other crops such as barley, oats or spring wheat. Extreme seeding delay, however, reduces seedling vigor and increases chances of winterkill.
Yield in Winter Wheat as Influenced by Percent Stand
During periods of winter injury farmers are frequently faced with a decision as to whether or not a field should be torn up and reseeded. A 40 to 50 percent winter wheat stand, if general over field, may produce as much as reseeded spring wheat. Thinner stands will likely demand more attention for weed control.
The guidelines for evaluating winter wheat stands are to determine the average number of healthy plants per square yard. We suggest making a square frame out of 3/8 inch rod. Walk the field in a zigzag pattern counting at ten random locations.
Fields that have 80 or more plants per square yard will probably produce more than if replanted to spring wheat (information taken from 1995 Master’s Thesis, "Critical Overwintering Plant Population for Successful Winter Wheat Production in Montana" by Doug Holen).
Two options available for fields with less than 80 plants per square yard:
Guidelines for fall planting:
Seeding Depth - Set the drill to place the seed 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Deeper seeding reduces tillering and lowers crop yields. With the furrow drills, wind-driven soil particles settle in the furrows covering the seed deeper than is desired.
Weed Control - When cheatgrass and other winter annual grassy weeds are a problem, delay seeding until surface moisture is received and such weeds germinate. Cultivate as shallow as possible to kill grassy weeds and seed immediately, providing the time is within the recommended seeding date for your area.
For chemical weed control practices, consult your county Extension agent for latest recommendations.
Harvest - Direct combining is the most common method. Begin harvest of grain for immediate shipment or short-time storage when the moisture content drops to 13 percent. If you expect to store the grain for several months, the moisture content should not exceed 12 percent.
When grain dryers or bin aerators are available for immediate use, harvest may begin at higher moisture levels--between 14 and 20 percent. If the moisture content is above 20 percent when harvest begins, then the grain must be dried immediately with a unit using heated air. Allowing the standing grain to dry in the field to a lower moisture content is more efficient and conserves fuel and energy. Bin drying may be better than risking a hail storm when the crop is not insured.
Swathing or windrowing of grain reduces shatter losses, speeds drying and harvest. Swathing is sometimes necessary when green weeds interfere with the direct combine method. Grain may be swathed when the moisture content has dropped to 30 percent. Swathing is not advised on short straw or on thin low-yielding stands of grain. A windrow on or close to the ground is difficult to pick up and increases the chance of picking up stones.
Storage - Clean walls and floors of bin thoroughly to remove any old grain. Spray walls and floor with registered residual insecticides. Remember to follow the label instructions concerning application. Such treatment will help prevent insect damage if grain is stored at the proper moisture level.
Sample fields before harvest for protein determination. Bin grain separately to take advantage of protein premiums.
Check stored grain periodically to detect any "hot spots", roof leaks, insect damage, bird, rodent entry or theft.
Marketing - Timing and method of sale is critical. Wheat prices usually fluctuate several cents per bushel during the crop year. The advantages and disadvantages of selling wheat on a cash market at harvest time follow:
Farm-stored wheat should be graded and tested for protein before being sold. With such knowledge an operator can make price comparisons or place the grain under government loan, including the long-term wheat reserve option.
The Montana Grain Inspection Laboratory, Great Falls, MT is Montana's authorized official Grain Grading Service Laboratory. Submit samples to the laboratory for official market grade and protein determination.
Tables Last Updated February 1997 by Howard Bowman, et al.
