This year’s wheat crop has had to have nine lives in order to survive to this point. The stressors for this year’s crop have been many including: winter-kill, drought, insects, various rusts, and mosaic diseases. The rains came late as well, leaving the wheat shorter than normal. Even though the wheat is short, and many issues have been against it, the wheat still has a chance in many places to make a decent harvest. The individual wheat varieties are responding in various ways to the different stressors that have been present this year. This is one major reason that wheat plots are so vital to farmers year after year.
We have 16 varieties plus a check variety in the wheat plot to be able to compare and contrast how they have fared with different issues. There are a few varieties that look to be doing well, while others have a thinner stand, and are not quite as thrifty. Overall, the plot is doing exactly what it is intended to do. It is showing how well each variety is performing in this year’s challenging weather. From the freeze we experienced last fall before the wheat had a chance to harden off, the lack of moisture during the winter and early spring, and the disease and insect issues we have seen thus far, the variety plot is demonstrating how the assorted varieties fare.
On May 14th, at 6pm, the Extension office will be having a wheat plot tour out at the site. Lucas Haag,
K-State Research and Extension’s North East Agronomist will be on hand to talk about the individual varieties which were planted, and how they are producing in our area. Lucas will also discuss the different situations and stressors for this year. Eric DeWolf, KRSE Plant Pathologist and JP Mitchell, KSRE NE entomologist will also be on hand to discuss how the wheat fared with the problems that happened in their areas of knowledge as well. The plot is located at the Intersection of NW 100 AVE and NW 180 RD which is 1 mile south of Galatia. (Legal: SW 1/4 26-16-15)
We invite everyone to attend, and are ask you to RSVP to the Extension office at 620-793-1910 no later than Monday May 12th for a dinner count sponsored by American Ag Credit.  Thank you to American Ag Credit for helping Barton County Extension provide a meal after the tour for our participants.
Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Barton County K-state Research and Extension. One can contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910