Five drivers of big wheat yields

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There’s never going to be a one-size-fits all recipe for top wheat yields — too much depends on fertility, soil conditions, and weather. That said, there are some practices that year in and year out are part of a successful stand.

Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson says that the Great Lakes YEN project has helped to provide data for some of these practices, but others have been proven through trials and on-farm results.

While Johnson could probably name 10 things that contribute to the highest yield, RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney shares a listener’s challenge of keeping it to five. Always up for a challenge, Johnson, in the audio below, narrows it down to five (and a bonus, because he can’t help himself):

  • Seeding on-time, and on-time is early, for both winter and spring crops
  • Dial in that population — more isn’t always better (hear his explanation as to why and how it relates to point 1)
  • Always put starter phosphorus down. Always
  • Weed control matters ahead of seeding, fall or spring
  • Manage fusarium, especially in endemic, wetter regions

Listen on for discussion on each point:

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