A high-quality wheat crop starts before the seed is even planted, by choosing the best seed lot possible. A seed with excellent germination, strong vigour, and freedom from and protection against key pathogens is more likely to achieve strong emergence and a healthy plant establishment.
This year’s seed quality reflects the growing conditions of the previous season. According to Sarah Foster, senior seed analyst with 20/20 Seed Labs at Nisku, Alta., in this episode of RealAgriculture’s Wheat School, the 2024 seed quality was strong.
Seed weights did come in a little lower than normal due to drought conditions in some areas, but it’s not impacting germination at all, Foster says. The lab also tests for diseases, and she says the lab is seeing fusarium in samples from areas that received a good amount of moisture in the latter part of the season.
While it is reassuring that seed is tested, it is important that each grower go through the lab report regarding the seed lot, Foster says, as there is additional information that can inform crop management decisions, such as seeding rate or seed treatment choices. If, for example, germination is at 90 per cent, it’s key to understand what happened to the other 10 per cent, as this could alert growers to an underlying issue, such as chemical or mechanical damage incurred last season.
Check out the full episode below for insights on last year’s seed quality, emerging disease trends, and what to expect for the 2025 season.
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