In less than six weeks, the 2017 wheat crop is going in the ground. Even sooner for those planning on grazing wheat. You have probably seen producers working fields or spraying to control weeds. However, there is so much more that goes into preparing for a wheat crop. Briefly, let’s examine what producers should, and in many cases are, be doing. We will assume producers have pretty well located where they will plant and the acreage to be planted. Further let’s assume a plan for weed control is in place and most know what varieties they will be planting.
• If using bin run, seed harvested and saved back, having the seed cleaned is a good idea to maintain the quality of the seedstock and yield. Unless, the wheat is to be grazed, it’s a good practice to use a seed treatment for insects and diseases. This is especially important is you are aware fields have soil borne insects that attack seeds and seedlings. It is also beneficial if you noticed diseases such as common smut prior to harvest.
• If wheat is to be planted back to wheat ground, or any field really, and there isn’t recent soil test data (say within the last two years, it pays to conduct a soil test unless you are sure phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels are high. Even then a little starter P is beneficial. The high grain yields on many fields make this a sound practice. A simple soil test isn’t expensive and should include pH, LTI, P, K, and base saturation percentage. The results in conjunction with a realistic yield goal will provide your fertilizer recommendations. Those using grid sampling are normally on a different schedule.
• The pH is important for those parts of the area with pH values under 7 but not for those areas as you move north and west of Great Bend where pH values are typically above 7. If the pH is below 7 (acid), it is beneficial to have an LTI (lime test index) conducted to determine how much lime is necessary to raise the pH to an acceptable level. It’s too late to effect a great change prior to planting, especially if it stays dry, but if the amount isn’t huge and affordable, it wouldn’t hurt to apply it now. However, if you are dealing with fairly acid soils this close to planting, what can be done is to select a variety that is acid tolerant.
• With the good to excellent yields of this past season, higher than most fertilized for with nitrogen (N), this may be a good time to conduct a profile N test and at the same time a sulfur (S) profile test. Add in the heavy rainfall which can cause N and S to leach below the root zone and this is a great year for these tests. An indication of low N, and S, levels would be to check grain protein levels. This should be done as close to planting as practical to allow for mineralization of N and S in the soil. Again your yield goal is important but fortunately, N fertilizer is typically split into fall and late winter/early spring applications so there is time to adjust. The key is to make sure adequate N is available for sufficient plant growth to survive winter and head into spring. S levels tend to be low on sandy soils and soils low in organic matter. Sulfur is found in all plant proteins so inadequate sulfur hurts grain yield and protein levels. More and more sand farmers are simply adding S as part of their fertility program each fall as they know they are short.
• One last nutrient is chloride. If you are using potassium chloride as a K source, there likely isn’t a reason to worry but if you have soils high in K, you may be chloride deficient. However, certain varieties are more sensitive to chloride levels than others.