Ohio wheat yields excelled in 2005

WOOSTER, Ohio – Ohio growers are in the midst of selecting wheat varieties for the next growing season, and results from the 2005 Ohio State University Extension Ohio Wheat Performance Test could help.
Higher yield. Yields excelled for the 60-plus varieties of soft red and soft white winter wheat evaluated in the tests.
Average yield was 91 bushels per acre, with numbers ranging between 55 bushels per acre and 130 bushels per acre.
“No winter kills, protection from snow cover and lack of stresses, most notably from diseases, were probably all contributing factors to this year’s high yields,” said Pat Lipps, an OSU Extension plant pathologist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.
“It’s going to make it difficult for growers to pick varieties, because they are going to expect these high yields come next year. The last time we saw yields like this was in 1985, if I remember correctly,” Lipps said.
Testing. The annual performance test focused on five planting locations (Wayne, Darke, Wood, Crawford and Pickaway counties) and produced data in such areas as yield, test weight, lodging, heading date, disease reaction, and grain quality factors.
When growers are selecting varieties, Lipps said, they should be sure to pick a resistant variety.
“We always suggest good resistance to powdery mildew, leaf blotch, leaf rust and head scab, based on which of these is most important in their area.”
Growing tips. Lipps recommends the following planting tips for wheat growers: