To estimate potential yield, it was assumed a theoretically ‘perfect’ variety grown with ‘inspired’ management on each entrant’s field and 2022 weather, including available water and solar radiation. There was only a five bushel per acre difference in the modelled potential yield between the top and bottom 20 per cent in the Great Lakes Region. This indicates that similar yield potential existed between the two groups, but one group had higher actual yield. The project aims to understand the differences and help growers achieve higher yields through data reports and feedback. Data analysis performed on the 2022 Great Lakes YEN data highlighted the importance of decisions made by farmers that may lead to higher winter wheat yields. The seeding date for the top 20 per cent of participants was 11 days earlier than the planting date for the bottom 20 per cent of participants across various regions in the Great Lakes YEN. In addition, correlation analysis identified that an earlier seeding date was statistically 8 related to an increase in yield. However, there is a caveat to this, as it is possible to plant too early and increase the risk of insect pests and disease that may impact crop viability and yield or increase the risk of winter injury. Maps of optimal seeding dates can be found on the Ontario Cereal Crops Committee and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs websites. In terms of crop physiology, the 2022 Great Lakes YEN data analysis, supported by results of more than eight years of the YEN in the United Kingdom, shows that high yields tend to be associated with high heads per m2 and high total biomass. The U.K. YEN data analysis also found that a high total biomass is more important than a high harvest index in explaining higher yields, indicating the importance of striving for better light and water capture. GETTING HIGH-YIELDING WHEAT The 2022 Great Lakes YEN data indicates that a 200 bushels/acre yield is possible almost anywhere. High yields are not restricted to a single part of the Great Lakes region. Attention to detail is important. Aspects of this that appear to have a significant impact on yield include: • Planting date– planting on the earlier side of the optimum planting date range is ideal • Fall fertility– applying manure and/or phosphate in the fall can help boost crop performance • Nitrogen– timely applications to help plant development, including split applications Other factors impacting high yield include: • Weather – ideal conditions are a dry and bright fall, mild winter, and a bright spring with cool summers • Nutrition– most crops suffer some type of deficiency throughout the season AND THE WINNERS ARE The Great Lakes YEN is made possible by all Ontario and United States participants. GRAIN YIELD (BU/AC) VS BIOMASS (LBS/AC). continued from page 6 2022 y = 0.0057x + 37.265 R² = 0.603 2021 y = 0.0045x + 53.319 R² = 0.57582021 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 5000 7000 9000 11000 13000 15000 17000 19000 21000 23000 25000 2022 2021 Linear (2022) Linear (2021) 269 280 262 264 266 268 270 272 274 276 278 280 282 Top 20 Bottom 20 AVERAGE SEEDING RATE.
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