By Jenna Falor
Welcome to the start of this season’s Wheat Watchers! This report will come out weekly until most of the state hits flower then will switch to bi-weekly until most of the state has harvested. This report is only possible because of our agribusinesses and farmers who participate as wheat watchers. If you are interested in being a wheat watcher, especially if you see your area isn’t represented, please reach out to Michigan State University Extension field crops educator Jenna Falor at falorjen@msu.edu.
Overall, this week reporters are seeing wheat ranging from Feekes 3-6 with all reporting wheat having broken dormancy. Across the state, watchers are also reporting that rain is slowing spring nitrogen applications and has resulted in some waterlogged wheat.
Southwest Michigan
We had three wheat watchers reporting in from the southwest region: one from Barry County near Hickory Corners, one from St. Joseph County near Centreville, and one from Allegan County near Wayland. The watcher in St. Joseph County reports wheat has reached Feekes 6 (first node visible) and most of the first pass of spring nitrogen has been applied. There has been a big uptick in true armyworm moth counts after the recent storms, so they will be keeping an eye out for larvae in the coming weeks. They also reported a lot of rain, and nitrogen deficiencies are starting to show where nitrogen application was missed or didn’t go out in time.
The watcher in Barry County is reporting wheat is Feekes 4, which is when leaf sheaths lengthen. Greenup nitrogen applications have begun in the area, but rainy weather has slowed field work over the past week and will continue for rest of this week.
The watcher in Allegan County is reporting wheat at late Feekes 5 to early Feekes 6. Rainfall is affecting field work, but most early nitrogen did make it on. At this point, many are watching weather for moisture and hoping to get out with herbicide and plant growth regulator applications.
Source : msu.edu