The Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) program for winter wheat has expanded from 43 farms in 2021 to 184 farms across Ontario and a growing number of U.S. states in 2024.
In four short years, the program has identified key agronomic and management strategies that consistently drive higher yields for YEN grower participants. On this episode of the RealAgriculture Wheat School, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness cereals specialist Joanna Follings and RealAgriculture agronomist Peter Johnson look at management tips gleaned from the 2024 program.
Follings says her first takeaway is further confirmation of the key management factors observed in past years. Again in 2024, the results show that more biomass leads to more photosynthetic area, which, in turn, leads to higher yields. In addition, high head counts, specifically 800 to 1,000 heads per square metre, are consistently associated with high yields.
See Related: Big yields top 2024 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network contest
Another yield contributor is thousand grain weight (TGW). Follings says the ability to maintain a green crop canopy through the grain fill period is crucial for achieving high TWG, which can compensate for lower head counts typically found in North American wheat crops, compared to those grown in Europe and other regions. YEN data also shows that planting date continues to be a critical success factor. In 2024, high-yielding growers planted their wheat crops six days earlier on average compared to lower-yielding growers.
One of the emerging management practices noted is the impact of narrow row spacing. Follings says the top two finishers in the yield competition — Michigan growers Nick Suwyn and Jeff Krohn — both planted five-inch rows. “Those growers on five-inch rows versus seven-and-a-half inch rows seem to be able to get those higher yields with that narrow row spacing and a lower seating rates, too,” she adds.
Johnson notes that this narrow row performance is also being observed in Michigan State research where wheat is being precision planted in five-inch rows. “They’re seeing some pretty significant yield increases,” he says.
Follings and Johnson also discuss the surprising success of broadcasting seed in specific scenarios; and what researchers are learning about the importance of rooting depth and water availability in calculating yield potential. Watch the video below.
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