September wheat went in beautifully with nice conditions, and Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson thought maybe record wheat acres would be set in Ontario for a 2021 harvest, but then the rains came.
Even though it’s getting a bit late, Johnson knows you can still get high yields. It all comes down to management and in this episode of the Wheat School, Johnson breaks it down for us.
Johnson’s first recommendation is to get that soil fit for planting by doing a bit of light tillage, but only a bit, and only if you have to.
Thinking of going shallower with your seeding depth? Well, Johnson says to think again — stay at an inch and a quarter, an inch and a half, or maybe even an inch and three quarters, because it’ll prevent frost heaving next spring.
Watch the full video below for all the details on how to get big wheat yields:
When it comes to phosphorus, “if you can’t do it with the drill, put it down the pipe with the seed, then broadcast some phosphorus,” advises Johnson. Later planted wheat needs phosphorus.
Plan on increasing your plant population. Johnson advises a target of at least 2 million seeds per acre, depending on your soil type, how hot it’s going to get for you, and how many tillers you’ll get, as a result of those two factors.
Finally, fall weed control — if you didn’t do a pre-seed burn-down with glyphosate, you can still use a fall herbicide, says Johnson.
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