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Planning for Big Wheat Yields!

Despite the dry year and stripe rust infestation, we saw some big winter wheat yields across the province this season. Many growers are giving credit to a strong stand establishment last fall thanks to the excellent planting conditions. So as we get into the full swing of winter wheat planting, here are a few things to keep in mind that will help you get those high winter wheat yields and break another provincial record!

Know your optimum planting date and seeding rate

As we saw with the early planted crop last fall, wheat is very responsive to planting date. This was evident in 2006 when there were record yields due to early planting the previous fall. There was also a significant response to planting date in 1993, when a late planted winter wheat crop resulted in low yields. Given that planting date has a significant impact on yield, make sure you plan ahead and ensure you are targeting the optimum planting date for your area as outlined in Chapter 4 of Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops, Optimum Date to Seed Winter Wheat Across Ontario.


Figure 1. Optimum date to seed winter wheat across Ontario

Given that the weather does not always cooperate, it is important to be aware of the implications of variation in planting date and how to adapt accordingly. Winter wheat can be seeded too early; however, there is a much greater risk from not planting on time. At the optimum timing, winter wheat should be seeded at 1.5 million seeds/acre. This can very slightly depending on the variety so check the label for the particular variety you want to grow.

When seeding winter wheat too early there is an increased risk of lodging and snow mould. To reduce these risks decrease the seeding rate by 25% if seeding more than 10 days before the optimum planting date for your area. When planting winter wheat later than the optimum timing there is reduced fall tillering. To compensate for this, increase the seeding rate by 200,000 seeds/week to a maximum of 2.2 million seeds/acre.

Plant at the right seeding depth

Similar to planting date, winter wheat is also very responsive to seeding depth so the more accurate the seeding depth the better chance for winter survival and higher yields. Having the proper seeding depth results in the development of a secondary root system well before winter begins and encourages quick emergence. If winter wheat is planted too deep emergence is delayed resulting in a yield reduction; however, there is often a greater yield reduction due to planting wheat too shallow.

Ensure you are planting at a depth of 2.5 cm (1 in.). Moisture availability is a very important factor so although 1 in. is an ideal depth, ensure you adjust your depth accordingly so that you are placing the seed into moisture. You can also reduce seeding depth variation by using seed firmers and reducing your planting speed.

Choose the right variety and use quality seed

Select a variety that is suited to your growing area. A number of factors should be considered when choosing a variety, these include: the farm location, winter survival, insect and disease resistance, lodging potential and yield. Utilize the Ontario cereals performance trial data on thewww.GoCereals.ca website. When looking at the data, select varieties that perform well in your area across a number of sites and years. Use high quality seed with excellent germination as well as a seed treatment to help protect against seedling diseases.

Source: Fieldcrop


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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.