Wooster, Ohio
March 5, 2009
Ohio farmers have planted over a
million acres of wheat this season, the second year that seeding
has surged over the 1 million mark.
According to the
Ohio Agricultural Statistics Service, farmers planted 1.02
million acres, slightly down from the 1.12 million acres planted
in 2008, but still 20 percent higher than 2007 plantings.
Pierce Paul, an Ohio State University plant pathologist with the
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, said he is
pleased to see farmers continue the trend of planting over 1
million acres.
"It's exciting when we see 1 million acres for wheat. We want to
continue to see wheat stay in the crop rotation," said Paul, who
also holds an Ohio State University
Extension appointment.
Due to timely planting and good winter survival, Paul
anticipates this season's crop to green up and perform well.
"It's that time of year when everybody is anxious to know what
is going to become of the wheat crop. It's still too early to
tell. March is always a very stressful time for wheat due to the
rapid changes in air temperatures, potential for heaving, and
flooding," said Paul. "However, what we've seen thus far is that
the wheat seems to be coming out of winter in pretty good shape
and that's largely because we had a good planting season and
good snow cover. Good tiller development in the fall and
adequate snow cover during the winter months leads to
good-looking wheat in the spring."
Paul said that many growers are interested in estimating yield
potential this early in the season, but with unknown factors
such as diseases and weather impacts yet to surface, it's
difficult to give an accurate number.
"There are a couple of models out there that allow growers to
count the number of tillers per foot of row and then use that
number to estimate how much yield they are going to get at the
end of the season," said Paul. "However, I wouldn't advise Ohio
farmers to rely on any one model because growing conditions for
Ohio are different from growing conditions elsewhere."
For now, Paul encourages growers to stay true to the Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) approach to crop management.
"Walk the fields toward April when the wheat begins to green up.
Do a tiller count. Make timely herbicide and nitrogen
applications," said Paul. "For now, in general, wheat looks good
across the state."
Wheat harvest averaged 68 bushels per acre in 2008, and Paul
hopes that growers will at least be able to maintain those
yields this season.
Ohio wheat growers produce some of the nation's highest quality
soft red winter wheat sought after by millers and bakers. Ohio's
wheat production brings in over $250 million to the state's
agricultural industry, according to the Ohio Department of
Agriculture.
For updates on Ohio's wheat crop throughout the season, log on
to the OSU Extension Agronomic Crops Team Web site at
http://agcrops.osu.edu. |
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