Crop Scene Investigation - 57 Solved: What happened to Wendel's winter wheat?

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

by BERNARD TOBIN

Every second row in pockets of Wendel's winter wheat field had lower plant populations because mud pulled up by the front gang of disc openers on the farmers seed drill stuck to the rear disc openers and built up on the rear press wheels.

As a result, the rear openers and press wheels, which seed and pack every second row, were not functioning properly. The muddy press wheels resulted in shallow seeding depth in these rows and did not place all the seeds into the seed slot properly.

Agronomist Paul Sullivan explains that the same population pattern did not exist across the field because the planter worked properly in the drier areas of the field. "Where the ground was drier and more fit, the coulters did not pull up any mud, and the mud that had accumulated on press wheels in the wet areas would dry and fall off. The planter would then work as it should."

While lower plant populations in a field like Wendel's don't lead to significant yield losses, Sullivan says farmers can help manage the problem by cranking up populations as planting pushes later into the fall. He notes that research conducted by long-time Ontario agriculture ministry wheat specialist Peter Johnson suggests that "when we plant late, we should be planting 2.1 million seeds per acre, like we do with spring grains."

Sullivan says the problem of planting winter wheat in tough fall conditions is something every farmers wrestles with at one time or another. "In those situations, it's tough to say you'll just leave it for another day," he adds.  

Congratulations to James Temple, St. Thomas for his correct answer. James notes: "Being late in the season the bit of difference in seeding depth could prove quite variable in emergence and healthy plants. I've also seen it before where one plants 15 inch beans, only sets depth of one gang, and forgets going into wheat." BF