In the last several years, there has been a trend to increase acres of wheat planted using the no-till method in various types of seed beds. A much higher level of management is needed to achieve long term success when switching from conventional tillage methods to no-till.
Preparing the seedbed requires planning and preparation up to six months in advance. Here are some major management issues to consider when planting wheat into corn stubble:
- Use medium or early maturing corn to increase the time to replenish moisture before planting.
- In the spring, monitor wheat for scab.
When planting wheat into milo stubble consider these management issues:
- Use early maturing varieties planted in 30 inch rows to reduce wheat plant-milo stubble interaction.
- Remember to spray milo stubble with roundup or its generic.
- Seeding rate should be two bushels per acres and use a high rate of starter fertilizer.
Continuous wheat stubble:
- Control weeds and volunteer wheat early and often. Do not let volunteer wheat grow more than 2 weeks after emergence. Most years with normal rainfall will require 3 spray treatments with the last being 3 weeks prior to planting.
- Plant wheat at the beginning of the normal planting time for your area because the plants are slow to develop in standing stubble.
- Use half-rate early spring fungicide treatments.
Soybean stubble:
- Plant a soybean maturity that will be harvested at least 2 weeks prior to normal wheat planting.
- Plant wheat in soybean residue toward the end of the normal planting time.
Other important tools for success:
- Use seed treated with Divident and Cruiser.
- Apply starter fertilizer in with the seed.