Winter Wheat Concerns | Video

Jennifer Joas | 3/20/2012

The dry weather conditions have area agronomists worried about the success of winter wheat. Normally, snow cover provides insulation for the crop during cold conditions. But with the dry conditions we`ve been experiencing, a cold snap may damage crops.

"We could see some injury still happening on the plants. That`s going to be determined by the plant stage and the plant condition. So the more advanced the plant is the less damage that could happen to it," said Jason Riopel, NDSU Extension Center Agronomist.

If temperatures drop between 22 to 28 degrees, producers could see some injury. This could mean big trouble statewide because 300,000 additional acres of winter wheat were planted this year. While the warm weather persists, Riopel says it`s a good time to get into the fields and do stand evaluations.

"They can see how many plants that did make it through the winter, which we think the reports reflect that most of the plants did. It was real good success this winter with getting the plants through the winter.”

If the good growing season continues, producers may be harvesting as early as July. NDSU is having a free webinar on Friday that will give farmers more advice on spring management of winter wheat. If you`re interested, visit www.wintercereals.us.

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