Pushing the intensity on wheat production Ralph Pearce Planting dates, growth regulators, and desiccants are all part of the picture Five years of Ontario field trials reveal how nitrogen, planting date, and plant growth regulators affect lodging, yield potential, and the economics of wheat production. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 20 Measuring success in winter wheat production in Ontario has had plenty of support over the past three decades. Long-term studies in the province, combined with complementary research and intensive management practices from the U.K., have provided plenty of data and information to help assure growers of the benefits of including winter wheat in rotations. To build on that detail, researchers with the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus have completed a five-year study that includes planting dates, nitrogen applications, the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs), and desiccants on the previous soybean crop. The work was funded in part by Grain Farmers of Ontario, with support from Syngenta Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. Research on winter wheat, particularly its inclusion in rotations, is growing in importance. In addition to its effect on subsequent corn and soybean yields, more growers recognize its benefits, as indicated by the million-plus acres seeded in Ontario in six of the past seven years. With costs for seed, equipment, fuel, the carbon tax, and land all continuing to rise, farmers are encouraged to maximize revenues and profits. PUSHING THE LIMITS The five-year project to optimize winter wheat for increased cropping-system resilience was conducted by researchers Joshua Nasielski and David Hooker and began with the 2020 fall planting at Ridgetown, Arva, and Winchester. In some years, changes were made to the plot locations. In 2021, planting was carried out at Ridgetown, Arva, Exeter, and Winchester. In other years, one of the research sites was near Lucan. Two soft red varieties and two hard red varieties were planted early to increase lodging potential during June and July the following year. In the first year, the project had two primary objectives:
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