Wheat Pete’s Word, March 23: Early N, Maple Syrup Season & Disease Pressure in Big Wheat

In this week’s Word, Peter Johnson, resident agronomist for RealAgriculture, examines everything from early N applications in wheat to the maple syrup harvest. Have a question for Wheat Pete? Call 1-888-746-3311, send him a tweet (@wheatpete), or email him at [email protected].

Highlights:

The 2016 crop season has begun in Ontario with some nitrogen going down on wheat
When and how much should nitrogen be applied to wheat — crop demand is still low. Hold off for now on big wheat.
How much sulphur to apply to wheat? 10 pounds in sulphate form in the first fertilizer application.
Peter’s a little worried about disease pressure in big wheat crop. Cases of mildew being found, having survived winter. Leaf rust survived the winter in Kentucky — has half as far as normal to travel.
Chicken>hog>dairy manure on wheat. Don’t supply more than two-thirds of total nitrogen as manure.
Warm spring will affect nitrogen release, but wheat needs its nitrogen early. Rarely see enough out of organic matter early enough. Could have a big difference on corn in late April/early May.
Keep stored grain within 10 degrees of ambient temperatures. Make sure you can leave fans on long enough to push moisture front through the bin.
Is there ever a bad time to do a soil test? No. Key is to do it consistently.
How to build soil test P? Manure or biosolids are ideal, but likely have to build it over time. If removing 80lbs, put on 110lbs.
The Word returns March 30 — send in your questions!