Ontario Grain Farmer August 2021

recommends 1.4 to 1.6 million seeds per acre. 200,000 seeds should be added to the equation for each week delay, with 2.2. million seeds being the per acre top-out rate. “The later we plant, the less likely we are to have an abundance of tillers. The higher rate will help compensate for that. It’s also worth considering a higher seeding rate on heavier soils.” When hitting the ground, wheat seeds should be placed between one and 1.25 inches deep. If equipment-induced variation is a concern, opting for a slightly deeper placement (e.g. 1.5 inches) is preferrable to going shallow and risking higher winterkill. PICK A WINNER Selecting the right genetics is another consideration, though one which depends on both management style and on-farm requirements. A variety which grows a bit taller, for example, might be preferred if planting into silage stubble or if more straw is desirable. Higher protein levels for those growing hard red varieties, as well as overall disease resistance, are also factors. Follings says farmers can use the “Head to Head” module available through the Ontario Cereal Crops Committee’s website to compare varieties. “Not everything is necessarily about yield… it’s really about looking at some of those other components as well,” she says. “If you’re looking at varieties you’ve never grown before, don’t feel the need to put it on every acre. Try it somewhere first and see how it goes.” Regarding straw, Seliga says even shorter varieties still produce considerable volumes. Indeed, he reiterates the importance of shorter varieties to high yields at year end. Tolerance to pathogens like fusarium head blight are also widespread thanks to a long-standing, industry- wide focus on the issue — though the level of tolerance between germplasms does vary. He adds modern management techniques, though, are as important as good genetics in achieving high yields. Like Follings, Seliga believes looking at the data is crucial. “As important as it is to say the data came frommy local region, there’s a lot of strength in having more years of data The more data you can use in the decision making the more likely you are to select varieties which will perform regardless of what Mother Nature will throw at you.” VALUE Long the black sheep of standard corn-soybean rotations, Follings believes more growers are again realizing the value of winter wheat economically — including the yield benefits it provides subsequent crops — and as an agent of soil health improvement. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 25 AUGUST 2021 Striving for the optimum seeding window is critical. Better grain management starts here! The AgConnexion Grain Portal is a one-stop platform that helps you maximize your profits. Subscribe today and start comparing prices and monitoring your transactions from anywhere! Visit sollio.ag/en/grain TM Sollio Agriculture is a trademark of Sollio Cooperative Group, used under license. 21078 Indeed, both her own observations and increasing wheat acreage suggest Ontario farmers are abandoning the notion of “poverty grass,” and managing the crop just like higher value commodities. “We still need to get three million acres though. We have three million acres of soybeans,” she says. “I really do think there are decisions we can make in the fall to set up for success. It just takes that little extra time. Get the drill out before the beans come off…I think there are some things we can do to prep ahead of time so you’re more likely to be successful versus, just throwing wheat in as an afterthought.” l