The same weather conditions that have delayed Ohio corn and soybean harvest also are keeping wheat out of the ground. As a result, intended acreage may not be fully realized, said an Ohio State University Extension plant pathologist.
"We are in the high-risk time now for planting wheat," said Pierce Paul. "Ideally, the wheat should have been in the ground by mid-October, but if you have to push it, the first week of November is considered the drop-dead date. Farmers have a 50/50 chance of getting anything out of the crop if they plant now."
According to the Ohio Agricultural Statistics Service, 95 percent of Ohio's wheat crop has been planted to date. Farmers intended to plant about 900,000 acres for next season, down from the 1 million acres planted in 2009. Because of the unfavorable weather conditions, even less wheat may end up in the ground.
"Wheat is a winter crop, so I'm confident that what does get into the ground will do well, especially since we have had very mild late-fall weather conditions," Paul said.
He also said the biggest issue associated with late planting is lack of tiller development before winter dormancy. Farmers won't know how well the crop will develop until green-up in the spring.
"What is in the ground so far looks great, with plants having two to four tillers," Paul said. "But, what is not in the ground at this point probably won't be planted."
For updates on Ohio's wheat crop, visit the OSU Extension Agronomic Crops Team Web site at http://agcrops.osu.edu.
Source : Purdue Extension