Fall is in the air with cooler temperatures and fewer hours of daylight. Producers are finishing harvest of summer crops and making plans for planting their fall crops. Wheat prices are good again this fall and producers are making plans to plant wheat. Even with the increased cost of fertilizer and fuel, planting wheat can offer producers an economic return. The average wheat yield in Franklin Parish last year was 55 bushels per acre. The 5-year average is 50 bushels per acre. Producers need to estimate the cost of their production, their yield potential and the price they can book wheat to determine if wheat is profitable for them.
The recommended planting dates for wheat grain production in north Louisiana are between October 15 and November 15. It is important to remember that wheat planted earlier is more likely to be damaged by insects and disease in the fall along with accumulating excessive growth. Plant late-heading varieties first and early-heading varieties last to avoid spring freeze damage to the heads. Wheat planted late may be susceptible to winter kill or uneven maturity if the variety requires a long vernalization.
Reoccurring problems in wheat production in Franklin Parish are planting on poorly drained land with low fertility and low pH, poor seed bed preparation, poor weed control and planting varieties with little resistance to disease.
For the best results in wheat production, a producer needs to select a variety that performs well in north Louisiana with a good disease-resistance package. These are varieties recommended for north Louisiana: AgriPro Coker 9553, AgriPro Coker Beretta (be aware of low test weight), AgriPro Magnolia, AgriPro Coker Panola, AGS 2060, Croplan 8302 (be aware of low test weight), Delta King 9577, Delta King GR 9108, Dixie 989, Ragan & Massey LA95135, Pioneer/26R61, Pioneer/26R87, Terral LA841, Terral TV8466 (susceptible to leaf rust), Terral TV8558 and USG 3295. Refer to the LSU AgCenter web page for the complete list of varieties tested. It is important to plant during the recommended planting dates on a location that has good surface and internal drainage. The seed bed should be well prepared, weed free, and planting should be done with a grain drill set to plant to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Plant a seeding rate of 60 to 75 pounds per acre of high quality seed. Adjust the seeding rate up to 90 pounds per acre if planting broadcast, late planting, or planting into poorly prepared seedbed.
Risks are part of agriculture. It is important to know how to minimize risks. Wheat can fit well in a business plan if a producer has well-drained land. Wheat can be planted on this land during what is normally considered the off months. This can provide additional income. Producers should consider planting wheat on the well drained soil that he can not irrigate. After wheat harvest leave this land fallow during the summer growing season. A producer can then concentrate on planting the irrigated land on time.
Producers are double cropping wheat with soybean, cotton and grain sorghum. If double cropping, plant into well drained soils that can be irrigated, choose varieties with maturity dates that will allow timely harvest and planting of the second crop. Be aware of herbicide rotational restrictions for subsequent crops.
Producers need to scout wheat for fall armyworms. We have had treatable numbers of this insect in summer pastures; these infestations may carry over into fall crops.
For more information on wheat production, please call our office at 318/435-7551 or go online at www.lsuagcenter.com/wheat/ and select under sub-topics “Variety Trials and Recommendations.”