A look at wheat conditions in north central Kansas this week revealed considerable variation in the condition of the crop in that region. Recent rains in areas north of I-70 and east of U.S. Hwy 281 have perked up most of the wheat in that region.
Figure 1. Wheat growing nicely in Mitchell County on April 3, 2014 after recent rains. This wheat is still at least two weeks behind normal in development, however. Photo by Jim Shroyer, K-State Research and Extension.
There is some winterkill in this region, and not all wheat is growing well at this time, even after the rains. In some cases, late-planted wheat remains well behind normal in development. Some of this wheat has also suffered some winter injury, especially where it was planted into loose fluffy soils or where the crown did not develop in nice, firm soils a half-inch below the surface.
Figure 2. This field of no-till continuous wheat, planted in late October, does not look good as of April 2. Photo by Jim Shroyer, K-State Research and Extension.
Wheat weakened by winter grain mites, brown wheat mite, or army cutworms is showing some winterkill as well.
Figure 3. No-till wheat in Lincoln County on April 2 with winter damage caused by winter grain mites. The mites weakened the wheat, hence the damage. Photo by Jim Shroyer, K-State Research and Extension.
Jim Shroyer, Crop Production Specialist
jshroyer@ksu.edu
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