Increasing Potential Yield of Wheat

Joel Ransom, Extension Agronomist Professor at North Dakota State University, will be speaking on the topic, "Moving the Yield Potential of Wheat Upward: What We Learned in 2017" at the 65th Annual Hard Spring Wheat Show.

Ransom will be discussing the performance of wheat varieties in different parts of North Dakota. He will also review a range of experiments that were conducted in 2017 by agronomists at the regional research extension centers throughout the state. Many of these are routine variety trial experiments that are done every year, with new varieties included when available. "The intent of my presentation is to discuss some of the concepts we can learn from this challenging growing season," said Ransom.

Following two years of very high yields, 2017 turned out to be a very different year for wheat production in North Dakota, according to Ransom. Not all regions of the state had weak yields. In fact, in part of eastern North Dakota farmers achieved very high yields. The relationship between yield and protein was also quite interesting. Protein levels in the highest yielding environments were low and in the lowest yielding environments quite high, as would be expected. However, in some areas, this was not the case, due to fertilizer nitrogen in the top zone of the soil not being fully utilized.

Ransom also learned that stripe rust could be devastating, as seen in winter wheat yields of susceptible varieties at Langdon, ND. These results show how significant genetic resistance can be, especially if fungicides are not part of the routine program. "I will review seeding rate recommendations and fertilizer timing results, as well," said Ransom.

Increasing yields is essential to any producer in any area. These results that Ransom will discuss at the 65th Annual Hard Spring Wheat Show in Williston will help farmers adjust their management practices to reduce the risk due to variable weather. It will also help growers prepare for a disease that is not always problematic but instead has the potential to rob yield from the crop.