Wheat Planting Begins Soon

DR. ANGELA MCCLURE

JACKSON, TENN.
    Tennessee’s recommended wheat planting window (Oct 15-Nov 10) is right around the corner.  The following are a few reminders that may help us achieve a decent stand going into this fall.
    • Wheat needs a firm seedbed with enough loose soil to cover seed 1 to 1.5 inches.  Shallow disking 2 to 4 inches is adequate following other row crops.  If conditions turn off dry, plant slightly deeper but never more than 2 inches deep.
    • Where soil erosion is a concern, spray a good burndown cleanup program before no-till drilling wheat.
    • U of KY suggests best yields in narrow rows (4 to 8 inch) vs 15 inch rows.
    • Wheat seed is typically 85% germ.  For grain production, plant enough seeds per acre to get 1.3 to 1.5 million plants per acre, regardless of row spacing.  (Formula: desired population divided by  0.85 divided by seeds per pound = seeds per acre to plant).  Example:  1,500,000 / 0.85/ 12,000= 147 pounds per acre.  Divide pounds seed per acre by 60 to calculate bushels per acre to plant.
    • Use higher seeding rates where germ is unknown (bin run seed) or when broadcast seeding wheat.  For broadcast seeding, spread 2 to 3 bushels of seed as uniformly as possible and incorporate with a do-all set shallow or similar equipment.
    • Soil test and apply lime, P and K fertilizer for a double crop scenario before planting wheat.
    • To help promote growth this fall, apply N fertilizer at a rate of 15 pounds N/acre following soybean and 30 lbs N/acre following corn or milo.
    - See more at: http://news.utcrops.com/2013/10/wheat-planting-begins-soon/#sthash.W9aIfk1h.dpuf.∆
DR. ANGELA MCCLURE: Extension Corn and Soybean Specialist, University of Tennessee