WINTER WHEAT WEBINAR

Why your Customers should be growing Winter Wheat Paul Thoroughgood P.Ag Ducks Unlimited Canada

Show me the Money! Winter Wheat is consistently a top performing crop across the Prairies Allows improved use of capital Provides “insurance” against inclement weather during May and September

Facilitation of more timely management of spring seeded crops Rotational benefits to other crops Expands grain marketing window Provides an ecological tool to manage herbicide resistance and pests Increases financial sustainability Show me the Money!

Caring for our Environment Winter cereals are the only annual crop shown to provide productive nesting habitat for waterfowl Benefits to other ground nesting birds Increased productivity per acre

Long Term Adoption 2/3 of growers who have tried winter wheat with DUC have made it part of their long term rotation Many of these growers have become “repeat customers” in other DUC programs

Planning for Success Mark Akins P.Ag CCA Ducks Unlimited Canada

Planning is Key Planning is involved in growing all crops Winter wheat requires special attention –stubble needed for seeding –planning also makes seeding at harvest simpler and less stressful Planning=profitable winter wheat

Plan for Stubble Start planning for winter wheat prior to seeding your spring crop Choose a crop that provides adequate snow trapping Stubble must be available in Aug 15 to Sept 15 seeding window

Plan for Stubble Attention to seeding date, crop types and/or variety if crops generally mature late –Weatherman-ager at Plans may not always come through so have a “plan B” crop in mind

The Weatherman-ager Physiological Maturity Date 05 Aug10 Aug15 Aug 20 Aug 25 Aug30 Aug04 Sep09 Sep14 Sep19 Sep 01 May May May May May May May Jun Jun Prince Albert, Saskatchewan ( ) The table below was generated from Environment Canada weather station data collected from 1945 to Crops - Argentine Canola

Harvesting Stubble Crop Winter wheat is most successful when direct seeded into standing stubble –Cut stubble as high as possible –Spread straw and chaff evenly over the field –Avoid excessive traffic in field access points and headlands

Logistics Prepare equipment early Have seed ready Fill the drill Plan for getting inputs to the field May want to swap seeding and harvest with a trusted neighbor

Seeding Opportunities Multi-tasking doesn’t always work Take advantage of the weather Use GPS and auto-steer to make the most of your day The first year is the most challenging

Seeding Musts Melissa Stanford, Agrologist Ducks Unlimited Canada

1. Seed Early Timing: North – August Central – August 25 - September 5 South – No later than September 15 Don’t delay seeding to wait for moisture! –Waiting too long results in 5-10% yield loss per week delayed

2. Seed Shallow Optimal depth = better seedling vigor and winter hardiness ½”-1” deep Target is 3-4 leaf stage prior to freeze up

3. Seed Into Stubble Standing stubble does it all The best crops for stubble How much stubble is enough?

3. Seed Into Stubble, cont’d Adequate Snow Trapping Potential –Pre-seeding 40 or greater –Post-seeding 20 or greater STP = stubble height in cm × # stems/m 2 100

4. Seed Heavy bushels per acre Target plant populations: –Fall: 30 plants/sq.ft. –Spring: plants/sq.ft. Consider 1000 kernel weight and germination

5. Other Considerations Manage straw and chaff at harvest Apply phosphate with the seed and some starter nitrogen Consider a pre- or post-harvest glyphosate application for a clean start Be mindful of potential herbicide residue issues

Questions? Thank you for joining us today.