Mark Akins of Avonlea, Sask., has 450 acres of winter wheat to worry about this spring if he wants – but he has learned not to.
Now into their fifth winter wheat crop, Akins and his family generally aim to put 15 to 20 percent of their 2,600 acre farm into the fall-seeded crop.
Akins, who also works as an agrologist for Ducks Unlimited in Regina, has learned that even the worst looking winter wheat crop in late April and early May can become a bumper crop by August. From train wreck to 60 bushels per acre is a common occurrence with winter wheat.
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Akins said his area of Saskatchewan hasn’t had much snowfall the past few years, causing even more concern about winterkill.
Each year winter wheat attracts many new growers with little experience in fall-seeded crops.
“It’s the only crop they can worry about at this point on the calendar, so that’s what they do,” he said.
“But in the fields I’ve inspected so far this spring (April 16), I’ve already seen lots of new white root growth. New white root growth is what you’re looking for in your spring assessment.”
Akins said some of these fields, such as the ones south of Crane Valley, Sask., had no snow cover this winter, yet they still have new white root growth from the crown.
“In some areas, you might have to wait until mid-May before seeing new white root growth from the crown and you’ll still get a good crop. And don’t be concerned about the leaves. Ignore them.”
He said in some cases producers can see green leaf material left over from the previous fall but still not know for sure if the plant is alive.
Conversely, yellow or brown leaves can still be attached to a winter wheat plant that is 100 percent viable.
“The only way to know for sure if the plant is accessing moisture and nutrients from the soil is to look for new white root growth. But don’t be in a hurry to judge. It can take a long time if soil temperatures remain too low.”
Soil and air temperatures are not as closely related as people think. The Earth is a hot mass of matter that heats from within and stores absorbed summer heat near the surface for a long time.
“The soil has a huge buffering capacity, far more than people realize,” Akins said.
It’s certainly true that winter wheat survival is better with snow cover, but even without snow, the crowns usually get enough heat from the Earth. Winter wheat responds to soil temperature, not air temperature.
“You can get a week or more of – 30 C and guys will say, ‘there goes my winter wheat crop.’ But that’s not true. Those crowns can take a lot of abuse. Or you can get a week of hot spring weather and guys think their winter wheat should respond immediately. That’s not true either.
“In Lethbridge, we had new white root growth in early April. In other northern areas of the Prairies, we might not see it until mid-May or later if the weather stays really cool.”
Akins said there is no set date for determining winterkill, which depends on spring conditions and soil temperature. The plants come back to life once the soil temperature has a prolonged period above the freezing mark.
In other words, once the soil has thawed for the year, the plants begin to respond.
Cool, moist soil allows slow steady spring growth and is considered the best condition for recovery from winter stress. Higher temperatures cause faster growth but can also desiccate the weaker plant.
“As a rule of thumb, I always say to wait until about 75 percent of your other crops are seeded, then go check the winter wheat,” Akins said.
The Winter Wheat Production Manual developed by University of Saskatchewan cereal researcher Brian Fowler includes a winter hardiness model based on prairie soil temperatures, varieties and locations.
Fowler said the tool gives producers realistic assessments of the facts surrounding their crops.
His team is working on an expanded database for the model, which can be found at www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/winter_cereals/index.php.
From the main page, click on the small graphic of the winter scene to access the plant survival model. Producers can change the data set by entering different years, locations and crop varieties.Â
On the graph, the black line is the soil temperature at a depth of one inch. The red line is winter wheat’s minimum temperature at that time.
In assessing survivability, lines crossing or coming close for extended periods of time mean the likelihood of survival is poor, while wider spreads indicate improved spring growth.
Akins has been working with novice winter wheat growers for five years. He said one of the biggest hurdles is early spring assessment, when new growers see the ratty looking crop and decide to hold off on fertilizer until the crop looks better.
“In the few I have seen, the factor that pushed it over the limit was lack of nutrients. The guy didn’t have enough faith in the crop to apply his spring fertilizer. He did himself in.”
Fowler said winter wheat needs nutrients early enough for the plants to take full advantage of the spring moisture in late May and June.
Akins recommended applying fertilizer while the crop is still dormant, ahead of spring seeding.
“The financial risk is approximately zero if you’re applying fertilizer early on a dormant winter wheat crop.
“First, you’re giving the plants exactly what they need when they need it. Second, in those rare situations where you might need to spray it out, the fertilizer is already in place for the next crop.”
For more information, contact Akins at 306-569-0424.
