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May 22, 2020
In This Edition:
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Michigan Wheat Program goes to no-travel, online field tours!
Register now for the "virtual" Summer Field Day
Don’t let a pandemic spoil the fun! Register now for the Michigan Wheat Program’s “virtual” (online) Field Day on Weds., June 10.
 With MSU facilities closed to large groups, we’re holding Summer Field Day on-line! Skip the car trip! Click here to register now! Then we’ll send an email confirmation. As the event gets closer, we’ll email you the connection information. It’s that simple.
Our researchers have photos/videos to re-create the in-field plot tours. Topics include disease and weed control, fertility, seed “singulation,” upcoming new varieties and establishing a good wheat stand.
The full agenda is:
Welcome
Dave Milligan, Chairman, Michigan Wheat Program
Brian Horgan, Chair, MSU Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (invited)
Research Presentations
Christy Sprague – Weed Control
Manni Singh, Dennis Pennington – Precision Planting
Marty Chilvers, Martin Nagelkirk – Disease
Dennis Pennington – Planting Date, Seeding Rate
Kurt Steinke – Fertility
Eric Olson – Variety Improvement
Regional Crop Reports from MSU Extension
Paul Gross, Bruce MacKellar, Monica Jean, Christian Tollini, Bob Battel, Ricardo Costa, Martin Nagelkirk, Dennis Pennington
Report on new Michigan Wheat Yield Contest
Jody Pollok-Newsom, MI Wheat Program Executive Director
Credits and Wrap Up
The program has approval for 4 RUP credits. CCA credits are pending.
Day of the event. Early “check-in” on June 10 is 7:40 am. We’ll have a “help” phone number with a live person available if you have any problems joining the meeting. The program begins at 8 am and concludes at 11.
Click here to view the agenda and click here to register for this free, fun program with a new virtual twist. You can also register via phone at: 1-888-WHEAT01. We require an email or cell phone number to text you the code for joining the program and to communicate any last-minute changes!
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First sponsor signs on for the Michigan Wheat Yield Contest!
 The Michigan Wheat Program expresses thanks to Star of the West Milling, the first sponsor of the brand-new Michigan Wheat Yield Contest.
Thanks, Star of the West! You’re a star in more ways than one.
Interested in joining Star of the West as a sponsor to honor Michigan’s top-producing wheat farmers? Click here to learn more about sponsorship levels. Our wheat growers thank you.
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Wheat freeze injury decision making tools
By Manni Singh (msingh@msu.edu)
and Dennis Pennington (pennin34@msu.edu)
Wheat in the jointing stage can tolerate temperatures as low as 24 degrees F. for about two hours. Anytime  temperatures drop to that level for an extended period of time, crop damage and yield reductions are possible.
In early May, Michigan experienced record-setting low temperatures. Scouting is underway to assess whether we have damage or not.
Initial assessments have shown injury levels lower than what was anticipated based on regional temperature data. Click here to learn more information about the cold period and how to scout your wheat crop.
Once you have assessed the crop for damage, you must make a decision about what to do with the crop. The level of damage coupled with local grower needs will determine the appropriate course of action.
There are three options for dealing with a damaged wheat crop: 1) keep the crop and harvest the grain like normal (low damage); 2) harvest the crop for forage (high damage); and 3) terminate the crop and plant a different crop (high damage).
Table 1 shows the estimated yield potential of wheat based on percentage of final stand. It is based on plant density so you have to go out in the field, measure and count live plants.
For freeze damage, you will have to first assess how many heads are damaged and then count based on the number of plants that have live heads. Tillers will complicate this somewhat so use your best judgement when counting.
Most of Michigan’s wheat is planted in 7.5-inch rows; so measure 19.2 inches of row length in this case and count how many plants have viable heads. Conduct counts in multiple locations (at least five) in the field to provide a uniform assessment. Take the average number of all counts and use Table 1 to estimate the yield potential.
For example, if you took the following measurements – 18, 13, 30, 22, 19, the average is 20.4. From Table 1 this would equate to a 60% stand and 90-95% of normal yield potential. Estimating your yield potential can help you determine what course of action to take.
Table 1. Wheat yield potential based on plants per square foot.* Length of row needed for 1 sq. ft count is 1.6 ft (19.2 inch) in 7.5’’ row spacing.
| Final Stand (%) |
Plants per: |
Potential Yield (%) |
| sq ft |
sq yd |
| 100 |
30-35 |
270-315 |
100 |
| 80 |
24-28 |
216-252 |
100 |
| 60 |
18-21 |
162-189 |
90-95 |
| 50 |
15-18 |
135-162 |
75-80 |
| 40 |
12-15 |
108-126 |
60-70 |
| 20 |
6-7 |
54-63 |
40-50 |
Source: “A Comprehensive Guide to Wheat Management in Kentucky”, ID-125,
Each grower will need to make decisions field by field based on their assessments.
Harvest for Grain
Fields with plant counts 20 or above per sq. ft will have 90-100% yield potential (Table 1). These fields should be fine and can be managed and harvested as normal. Keep in mind that even if plant stand counts are normal, there could be individual florets that were damaged resulting in some yield loss.
Stand counts are the best way to estimate yield potential right now. Once the head has emerged and flowering has begun, you will be able to see if there are any individual florets that were damaged.
This will likely not cause significant yield reductions. However, if counts are below 15 per sq. ft., yield potential is reduced to ≤ 75%. These fields might not be worth keeping.
Forage
Growers that have a need for forage (or have neighbors they can sell the forage to) may want to consider harvesting the wheat as a forage crop.
Timing of harvest should be based on needs of the livestock the wheat will be fed to. Wheat harvested in the boot stage will have higher protein, energy and lower fiber (palatability). However, it will also have lower yield.
Harvesting at the soft dough stage will have lower protein, lower energy and higher fiber. If you are feeding young cattle, you may want to consider cutting at the boot stage. If you are feeding dry cows you can wait until soft dough because they don’t need the higher protein and energy. Here are three resources for more information on cutting wheat for forage:
Terminate and Replant Alternate Crop
If a grower decides to terminate the crop, there are a number of things to consider:
- Economic comparison of keeping the crop against planting a different crop. Before terminating a wheat crop and planting another crop, growers should consider the production costs associated with the new crop and already-incurred costs for the wheat. Click here to see MSU crop budgets. (https://www.canr.msu.edu/farm_management/budgets-cost-of-production)
- Herbicide crop rotation restrictions. Due to crop rotation restrictions after herbicide applied to the wheat crop (Table 2), the most likely alternate crop options are soybeans, dry beans, corn or alfalfa. Tillage may help reduce the impact of some of the already applied herbicides.
- Weather and soil conditions conducive to replanting. Keep an eye on the current field conditions and weather forecast before making the decision to terminate the current crop and replant.
- Terminate wheat crop. Freeze-damaged wheat needs to be killed with a herbicide to prevent it from becoming a weed in replanted crop.
Table 2. Herbicide rotation restrictions, adapted from MSU Extension Bulletin E-434 "2020 Weed Control Guide."
| |
(in months) |
| SOIL pH RESTRICTIONS |
SOYBEANS |
FIELD CORN |
ALFALFA |
DRY BEANS |
| 2,4-D amine, 2,4-D ester |
None |
* |
0* |
FS |
FS |
| Affinity BroadSpec |
None |
7d |
0.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
| Axial Bold |
None |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Buctril/Moxy |
None |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Curtail* |
None |
10 .5/18* |
1 |
10 .5 |
10 .5/18* |
| Express |
None |
7d |
0 .5 |
1 .5 |
1 .5 |
| Harmony Extra |
None |
0 .5 |
0 .5 |
1 .5 |
1 .5 |
| Harmony |
None |
0 |
0 |
1 .5 |
1 .5 |
| Huskie |
None |
4 |
9 |
4* |
9 |
| MCPA |
None |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| Osprey |
None |
3 |
12 |
10 |
3 |
| Peak |
>7 .8 |
22* |
1 |
22* |
22* |
| PowerFlex HL |
None |
5 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
| Prowl, Prowl H2O |
None |
0 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
| Quelex |
None |
3 |
3 |
9 |
9 |
| Starane Ultra |
None |
10 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
| Stinger* |
None |
10 .5/18 |
0 |
10 .5 |
10 .5/18 |
| Talinor |
None |
10 |
0 |
9 |
12 |
| WideMatch |
None |
10 .5 |
0 |
10 .5 |
10 .5 |
This table contains general guidelines for crop rotation restrictions following herbicide application. Herbicide persistence and carryover potential are variable and dependent upon soil and environmental characteristics.
Table 2 Legend
– No information was given on the label.
* Consult the herbicide label for further information .
FS = rotational crops may be planted the following spring (FS).
As you continue scouting wheat fields to access freeze injury and make field-specific decisions, please contact MSU Extension wheat specialist Dennis Pennington at pennin34@msu.edu or MSU cropping systems agronomist Manni Singh at msingh@msu.edu with any questions or concerns.
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Musings from Martin:
Assessing freeze injury
By Martin Nagelkirk (nagelkir@msu.edu)
Now more than a week after the sub-freezing temperatures we experienced from May 9-13, we have a pretty good opportunity to assess the extent of any damage to wheat.
However, it’s not a simple task.
 Leaf damage is the first indication of frozen tissue. Evidence may simply be tip burn or there may be extensive tissue loss (Picture 1, shown here). Where there is significant loss of leaf area, there could be some yield loss even if wheat is only at tillering or first joint stages.
Head damage. It’s not easy to assess whether freeze damage extends beyond leaf loss and has injured the still-invisible head. This injury becomes more obvious as wheat matures.
Damage to the head is not easy to see at this stage. For one thing, the damage can be variable across a field. For another, some shoots on the same plant may be damaged and others not (often the more-developed main stem is affected first).
Even at growth stage 7, one can slit the stem and find the developing head. A healthy head will be light green in color (Picture 2, vertical at right). Click here to see Dennis Pennington’s video demonstrating how to examine an immature head of wheat for freeze damage.
The strongest evidence of a dead growing point (head) is when the next leaf to emerge is dead (Picture 3, at bottom top). In other cases, only some of the head’s florets are killed.
This will not be apparent until the head is fully emerged (Picture 4, last photo below). As a possible indirect effect of cold temperatures, there may be numerous heads that are “kinked” due to a restriction of the flag leaf's collar.
Click here to access the Spring Freeze Injury bulletin from Kansas State University, which outlines other symptoms of freeze damage to wheat.
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Fungicide options to combat Fusarium head blight
By Bob Battell (battelro@msu.edu)
A new fungicide on the market claims to widen the window for treatment of this disease.
Universities have recommended the use of the group 3 fungicides – Prosaro (prothioconazole + tebuconazole) or Caramba (metconazole) – applied at early anthesis (Feekes 10.5.1, or flowering) or within the first 6 days after flowering, to combat fusarium head blight (FHB).
There is a newer fungicide on the market wheat growers can use against Fusarium head blight (FHB) – the group 3 and group 7 premix Miravis Ace (Propiconazole and pydiflumetofen). Miravis Ace has been found to be just as effective at controlling FHB as Prosaro and Caramba when applied at flowering.
Miravis Ace is marketed by Syngenta as being effective against FHB when applied to wheat as early as 50% head emergence (Feekes 10.3). In 2018-2019 University plant pathologists in 10 US wheat-growing states, including Michigan, conducted field trials to compare the efficacy of Miravis Ace when applied at, before or after flowering, or sequentially with a DMI (group 3) fungicide to that of a standard flowering-only application of Prosaro or Caramba.
Treatments included: (1) Untreated check, (2) Prosaro at 6.5 fl. oz./A at flowering, (3) Caramba at 13.5 fl. oz./A at flowering, (4) Miravis Ace at 13.7 fl. oz./A at 50 percent head emergence, (5) Miravis Ace 13.7 fl. oz./A at flowering, (6) Miravis Ace at 13.7 fl. oz. at flowering followed by Prosaro at 6.5 fl. oz. at 4-6 days after, (7) Miravis Ace at 13.7 fl. oz. at flowering followed by Caramba at 13.5 fl. oz. at 4-6 days after.
Optional treatments were: (8) Miravis Ace at 13.7 fl. oz. at flowering followed by tebuconazole at 4 fl. oz. 4-6 days after, (9) Miravis Ace at 13.7 fl. oz. at 4-6 days after flowering, (10) Prosaro at 6.5 fl. oz. at 4-6 days after flowering
The goal of this work was to learn the efficacy of Miravis Ace applied at, before or after flowering compared to standard-single application of Caramba or Prosaro applied at flowering.
The FHB index is a visual rating system to quantify the number of heads showing FHB and the severity of infection on each head. The FHB index is a good rating of how much disease is present, but does not always correlate with DON (vomitoxin).
In the 2018-2019 trials, all fungicide applications and timings lowered FHB index, compared to the untreated check.
- Single fungicide treatments applied at flowering reduced FHB index by about half, compared to the untreated check.
- Prosaro, Caramba and Miravis Ace applied at flowering were all similar in FHB index reduction.
- Likewise, results of Prosaro and Caramba applied at flowering and Miravis Ace applied at 50 percent head emergence were similar in FHB index.
- Treatments with two fungicide applications (6 and 7) were significantly lower in FHB index than single application treatments.
While an application of Miravis Ace at 50% head emergence can be good to control the amount of FHB in the field (index), this early application is not very effective in terms of DON (vomitoxin) suppression.
Low levels of scab do not automatically mean that DON is low. DON levels can be high even when disease levels are low. While FHB index is useful in quantifying the presence of FHB in the field, actual reductions in DON are the most important because that is what affects farmer payments.
In this case, Miravis Ace reduced FHB Index from head emergence (Feekes 10.3) through late flowering, which is encouraging because it widens the window for application. However, the application at head emergence had higher DON levels compared to the flowering or late application timings.
It is also important to select varieties with FHB resistance. There are no varieties that are completely resistant to FHB, but some varieties are better than others. Selecting the most resistant varieties in combination with application of fungicides is the best strategy for reducing DON levels.
Click here to read ratings and results for more than 80 commercial wheat varieties in the MSU Wheat Performance Report.
Click here to read the complete original study.
And click here to read more on the management of FHB.
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What do the Michigan Wheat Watchers have to say about the 2020 crop?
Comments received May 15-20, 2020
 Martin Nagelkirk has worked with a Wheat Watchers group for several years and shares their comments through his newsletter. We thought it might be good to add that to our e-newsletter and share the crop conditions across the state with all of you. So as a new edition, below we are sharing what your counterparts across the state are seeing in their wheat fields as of the last five days.
By Martin Nagelkirk (nagelkir@msu.edu)
Barry Co. (Hastings) - Dennis Pennington, MSU (May 15)
Rating most wheat as 8-10. There are a few fields that experienced water damage last fall and/or winterkill – those are 5-7. Most wheat is Feekes 6-7. A few early planted fields are approaching Feekes 8 with flag leaf beginning to show. Herbicides have been applied and, for those that split apply nitrogen, most of the second application is complete. Very little left to go. Some Septoria and a few cereal leaf beetles. At Mason, seeing leaf speckling that looks like a virus. Its variety dependent and will submit to diagnostic lab. No rust yet (stripe or leaf).
Bay Co. (Auburn) - Chris Schmidt, Schmidt Farms of Auburn
Wheat is in growth stages 6 to 8. There is no clear evidence of freeze damage. Current attention is focused on the serious flooding in the area.
Cass Co. (Cassopolis) - Carl Sparks, Sparks Cedarlee Farm (May 19)
Rating the wheat as an 8. Relative to development, growth stages range from 6 to 8. All herbicides have been applied, but cool weather makes crop look hungry for nitrogen. Freezing temperatures seem to have only resulted in tip burn.
Gratiot Co. (Carson City) - Ben Wilson, Wilson Farms and Helena
Due to the cooler than normal and dry early spring, the wheat crop ratings have been improving as tillering was decent and tough spots from last fall were able to fill in a bit. I would give wheat an overall rating of 7. With the recent deluge of rain over the weekend, I expect some wheat to show signs of nutrient stress as we head toward the big warmup at the end of the week. Growth stages range from 6 to 8. Most herbicides have been applied, but some waited until recently for warmer temps. Second shot of N has been applied with a few exceptions to the North. I am seeing lots of tip and leaf burn on the leaf below the flag. Splitting stems, most growing points look ok, likely due to lack of frost with the cold temperatures.
Gratiot Co. (Middleton) - Phil Tuggle, MAC (May 19)
There has been too much water in the last week or so. I would rate the general crop below average with a few nice stands here and there. Nitrogen has been applied , herbicides are also on and I would rate the general crop below average with a few nice stands here and there. It appears we have dodged the bullet on freeze damage.
Huron Co. (Bad Axe) - Tim Wilke, Cooperative Elevator Co. (May 19)
Most fields are rated as 7-8s. Early planted fields have looked relatively good all spring. The cooler weather has seemed to help the later planted wheat tiller and fill out a little more. Mostly at Feeks 6-7, with earlier planted wheat clearly further along. 60%-70% of herbicides have been applied (cold weather last week has caused delay). 75-80% of N has been applied. Some split applications still to go, particularly growers that delayed herbicide applications. Relative to freeze damage, only symptomology so far is some leaf tip burn. Will know more in a few days, but I don't expect to see any major injury. No diseases present yet probably due to the cold dry weather we've had. I would expect more now that we have had rain and temps warming up.
Huron Co. (Owendale) - Jeffery Krohn, Krohn Farms (May 15)
I would rate the wheat as 7, with the early planted looking good, but the late planted wheat struggling to grow with the recent cold weather. Only about 50% of the wheat herbicides have been applied, as cold weather has kept many producers from spraying. I am expecting little damage to heads from freezing because wheat was at growth stage 6 or earlier. Finding some powdery mildew in dense areas and in susceptible varieties. Some is halfway up the plant and we are adding fungicides. Some producers that decided to spray their wheat during the cold weather are seeing significant leaf burning.
Ingham Co. (Okemos) - Steve Wagner, Agri Business Consulting (May 19)
May 19: Scoring wheat in area as 6 to 7 – discounted due to variable color despite good growth. Most wheat is growth stage 7. Most herbicide and N applications have been completed. I looked at several fields at Jackson-Hillsdale county line about four days after freeze. All these fields showed good growing point. No diseases are currently being seen.
May 20: Wheat moved to stage 8. Still finding little or no damage from freeze. Untiled fields look rough – rating about a 5. Started finding aphids today.
Isabella Co. (Mt Pleasant) - Paul Gross, MSU (May 15)
On a scale of 1 to 10, am rating the crop a 7. Most of the crop is in the 6 or 7 stage. From what I have observed, there is no visible evidence of freeze damage at this time, but will be better able to assess once weather warms. Currently, there is no disease of note.
Lenawee Co. (Adrian) - Ricardo Costa Silva, MSU (May 15)
Rating the crop at 8 as an average. Much the wheat is still at growth stages 6 and 7, but some 8 as well. Nearly all herbicides and N have been applied. Some leaf burn due to hard freeze can be found, but have not seen head damage to date. Some leaf spots apparent (Septoria).
Monroe Co. (Ida) - Mark Metz, Metz Farms (May 20):
Wheat is mostly in growth stage 8 and rating the crop at a 7 in turns of overall look to the crop. Received nearly 4 inches of rain in past week. While a bit excessive, does seem to be helping wheat progress.
Muskegon Co. (Ravenna) - Dean Kantola, Kantola Farms (May 19)
I would rate the wheat in West MI as a 7. Most wheat is still in growth stage 7. All herbicide and nitrogen have been applied. We did have some frost damage on some of the wheat as the temperature got down to 27. We have seen very little disease pressure so far.
Newago Co. (Newago) - Mackenzy Blair, MAC (May 18)
Overall, the wheat condition in this area is around a 5 and the majority is at Feekes 6-7. Most of all the herbicide and N applications are on, however, a few guys got rained out last week so they will be spraying this week. Looking at a couple earlier planted fields Monday night we found very little disease and hardly any frost damage. This was surprising since we had lows in the high teens on May 8-9. We will be assessing more surrounding fields later this week.
Tuscola Co. (Caro) - Robert Battel, MSU Extension (May 18)
Giving the crop an average rating of 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. Stopped at several fields between Cass City and Ubly today. Each were in growth stage 6 or 7; a third were showing tip burn from freeze or herbicide; and none of them had leaf disease of significance.
Tuscola Co. (Cass City) - Michael Milligan, Milligan Farms (May 20)
Received about 2.25 inches of rain in past week. Wheat is mostly in growth stage 7. Wheat is mostly looking good and would rate 8 to 9 on the 1 to 10 scale. No evidence of freeze damage though there is some tip burn that may be due to herbicide or freeze or a combination of the two.
Tuscola Co. (Richville) - John Pullis, Star of West (May 19)
Rating wheat condition as 7-8 with wheat enjoying milder temperatures (outside of downright cold temperatures). Most wheat I have seen has been at growth stage 7-8, with some a little behind that. Almost all herbicides have been applied and only a little split application N left. Wide window of dry conditions allowed for Nitrogen to be applied fairly timely this year. Some freeze damage may have occurred, but doesn’t appear widespread or too severe in most fields. Little disease so far, but warmer temperatures and ample moisture in the last few days may change that very quickly.
Sanilac Co. (Sandusky) - Martin Nagelkirk, MSU, retired (May 18)
Giving the September seeded wheat a score of 8 or 9, whereas the average October seeded wheat might be a 6. Crop development is significantly behind normal because of very cool spring temperatures. Currently, September wheat is mostly at stage 7 while the later seedings are at stage 6. There is no obvious freeze damage currently. Septoria is easily found in wheat stands but at a level that is relatively low.
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MSU seeks farmers to participate in stress management surveys
 MSU Extension is conducting a study about using text message reminders to give farmers resources about managing stress. Eligible Michigan farmers can earn $40 in Amazon e-gift cards for completing two surveys and receiving text messages over 12 weeks.
Selected participants will receive an additional $20 for a phone interview. If you or someone you know is interested click here to visit the website and complete the eligibility survey.
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Calendar of events
 With the ban on public meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s not much on the events calendar.
Due to the shut-down of MSU and MSU Extension events until the fall, our Summer Field Day will be a virtual event. Read the first article above for details.
- June 10 – Michigan Wheat Program “Virtual” Field Day.
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