ID-125
The soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in Kentucky provides flour for cookies, cakes, pastries, and crackers and is the fourth most valuable cash crop in the state. Winter wheat has been an integral part of the typical crop rotation for Kentucky farmers. It provides an important source of cash flow during the summer months and will continue to do so, but several trends should be examined when considering the economic potential of wheat production in the state (see Section 9—Economics of the Wheat Enterprise in Kentucky).
Recent improvements in varieties and adoption of
intensive wheat management practices have resulted in dramatically increased wheat yields. Prior to 1987, the
highest average yield achieved in Kentucky was 42 bushels per acre; since 1987, averages have been at least 49 bushels
per acre in all but two years (Figure 1-1). Yields have climbed to an average of more than 54 bushels per acre over the
last five years. This impressive increase in average yields should provide a positive impact on the wheat industry in
the commonwealth. The state record average yield of 60 bushels per acre occurred in 1994.
Figure 1-1. Kentucky average wheat yields.
While the average yield of wheat trend has been upward, the number of acres of wheat planted in the state has declined since 1981. Due to government programs, wheat acreage was at its lowest during 1985 and 1986. Since then, however, the trend has been mostly upward (Figure 1-2). Harvested acres in 1981 were 680,000 and declined to a low of 270,000 in 1986. Harvested acres have rebounded to more than 400,000 in recent years and reached more than 500,000 in 1996.
Figure 1-2. Wheat acreage in Kentucky, 1981-1996.
Source: Kentucky Agricultural Statistics, various years.
Another trend that may be of concern is the drop in harvested acres as a percentage of planted acres. In the early 1980s, more than 80 percent of planted acres were harvested (Figure 1-3). This percentage began to decline in 1983 (due to the PIK government program) and reached a low of 62 percent in 1986 (due to low prices). However, it has rebounded to above 70 percent during the 1990s and appears to be on an upward trend. Some reasons for the drop in the '80s are low wheat prices, drier than normal seasons, more profit in spring-planted crops, and government programs. A major reason the percentage of planted acres harvested for grain has been lower in recent years is increased use of wheat as a cover crop for production of no-till corn. This percentage will always fluctuate, depending on the potential yield of and expected price for the wheat crop.
Figure 1-3. Kentucky winter wheat, percent of planted acres harvested, 1981-1996.
Source: Kentucky Agricultural Statistics, various years.
This publication will help you use wheat management practices to improve the competitiveness of wheat in your crop rotation. There is no single best wheat management prescription for all circumstances, but this comprehensive publication explains the principles of wheat growth and management so you can make decisions appropriate to your situation. This publication also will help troubleshoot problems encountered during the growing season. If you use and adopt the following principles and practices, you should see increased yields, higher profits, and improved environmental protection from your wheat fields.
The important steps for intensive wheat management can be summarized into the following 18 steps. The application of these steps at the proper stage of growth and time of year (see the Winter Wheat calendar, ID-125A, on pp. 28 and 29) is presented in this publication as the basis for obtaining maximum and efficient wheat yields.
| 18 Steps for Maximum Winter Wheat Yields | |
| 1. | Test soil to determine fertility of field. |
| 2. | Apply P, K, and lime according to soil test. |
| 3. | Select several high-yielding, disease-resistant, winter hardy varieties. |
| 4. | Calibrate the drill. |
| 5. | For conventional tillage, prepare a good seedbed. |
| 6. | For no-tillage, use a contact herbicide. |
| 7. | Nitrogen: 30 lb/A in fall as residual or applied. |
| 8. | Plant from Oct. 10 to Oct. 30. |
| 9. | Plant in 4 to 8 inch row spacings. Tramlines may be established at this time for subsequent applications. |
| 10. | Seed 35 (up to 40 for no-till) seeds/ft2 of high quality seed. |
| 11. | Apply insecticide as needed for insect control (fall and spring). |
| 12. | Check stand density near mid-February when winter survival can be rated. |
| a) | If stand is adequate (25 plants/ft2 or >), apply 30-40 lb of nitrogen mid-to-late February. |
| b) | If stand is thin (<25 plants/ft2), apply 40-50 lb of nitrogen mid-to-late February. |
| 13. | Apply an additional 50 to 60 lb nitrogen at Feekes 5 (mid-March). |
| 14. | Use proper weed control measures (fall and spring). |
| 15. | Apply fungicides as needed for disease control during the growing season. |
| 16. | Harvest on time at optimum grain moisture (13 to 15%). |
| 17. | Provide and prepare adequate, safe storage space. |
| 18. | Market wisely for optimum profits. |