While early seeding often gets the spotlight in spring wheat production, later seeding can bring its own set of strategic advantages—especially when the weather throws a wrench in early plans.
In this episode of RealAgriculture’s Wheat School, Rory Cranston, technical strategy lead at Bayer, joins Amber Bell to dig into the practical considerations of delayed seeding and how growers can still set themselves up for a strong season.
“We always want to capture as much moisture as possible, so we’re seeding as early as possible… but there could be some benefits in how we can really utilize seeding dates later as well,” says Cranston.
A key one? Weed control. With more weeds emerged later in the spring, growers have a great opportunity to use an effective pre-seed burn-off—think glyphosate with a solid tank mix partner—to get ahead of resistant species like Group 1 or Group 2-resistant wild oats, Cranston explains.
Later seeding also means warmer soils—especially in that 10 degree to 15 degree C sweet spot—helping seed get up and out of the ground faster. That quicker establishment can be a win in terms of stand and competition. Cranston also emphasizes the importance of seed treatments in late seeding scenarios, as warmer, wetter soils can boost disease pressure. “You want to get it up and get it out as fast as you can now, out of the ground, to really capture as much moisture, have that greatest establishment…” he says.
And while pushing for timely emergence and a solid stand is crucial, Cranston reminds growers of the big picture, that safety needs to come first as the race to get the fields seeded begins.
“Sometimes at the start of the year, it’s like running a race… taking that time to be safe is, I think, something really critical for agriculture, beyond the establishment and trying to grow a crop as well,” Cranston says. A good start doesn’t just grow yield—it keeps everyone coming home safe.
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