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.