Wheat Farmer OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLORADO WHEAT ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 Colorado VOL. 56, NO. 3 Summer Wheat Farmer OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE COLORADO WHEAT ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE President s Column By Dave Anderson As incoming president of the Colorado Wheat Administrative C o m m i t t e e (CWAC) I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Dave Anderson, and together with my brother and our families, we operate a combination dryland and irrigated farm at Haxtun, Colorado, producing certified and registered seed wheat, corn and millet and also have a retail ag chemical business. I am honored to serve in this office and to help direct the funds raised by our wheat checkoff. I take this responsibility for administering these funds very seriously considering the vote of confidence that Colorado wheat farmers gave this spring to permanently extend the two-cent per bushel check-off first approved seven years ago with a seven year reapproval clause. I think the benefits of the investment made by Colorado s wheat farmers over the last seven years really were apparent this year, with the performance of the 2011 releases from the Colorado State University (CSU) breeding program in fields across the state and in fields and test plots in neighboring states as well. Marketed under the brand name PlainsGold, the variety Byrd set yield records on our farm and on others also in northeastern Colorado. Brawl CL Plus is a two-gene Clearfield release from the same year that gives excellent yields along with the ability to control tough winter annual weeds Cont d on p. 8 Colorado Ranks #2 in Winter Wheat Production in the U.S. for Second Time in Six Years, Trails Only Kansas Colorado winter wheat production in 2014 is projected at 100,800,000 bushels, up 128 percent from 44,280,000 bushels produced last year, and up 47 percent from the 10-year average crop of 68,706,000 bushels. The estimate for the 2014 Colorado winter wheat crop is based upon 2,400,000 acres being harvested with an average yield of 42.0 bushels per acre. This compares with 1,640,000 acres harvested last year and the 10-year average of 2,066,000 acres harvested. That is the highest total production and highest yield since the record-breaking year of 2010, where Colorado averaged 45 bushels per acre and total production was 105,750,000 bushels. An estimated 2,850,000 acres were planted last fall for harvest in 2014, compared with 2,300,000 acres planted for harvest in 2013 and the 10-year average of 2,365,000 acres planted for harvest. For Colorado, 2,400,000 acres is the largest number of harvested acres since 2009, when 2,450,000 acres were harvested. Colorado ranked second in the U.S. in winter wheat production, behind only Kansas, compared to its rank of 15th in 2013, and sixth in Yields in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma were negatively affected by drought this year. The last time Colorado ranked 2nd in the U.S. was 2009, when those three states were in a similar situation. On August 12, USDA estimated U.S. all-wheat production (the sum total of winter, spring and durum Hard red winter wheat ready for harvest near Denver International Airport. production) in 2014 at 2,029,638,000 bushels, down five percent from 2,129,695,000 bushels in 2013, and down six percent from the 10-year average of 2,156,518,300 bushels. U.S. winter wheat production in 2013 is estimated at 1,396,742,000 bushels, down nine percent from 1,534,253,000 bushels in 2013, and down nine percent from the 10-year average of 1,533,544,900 bushels. U.S. spring wheat production in 2014 is estimated at 572,381,000 bushels, up seven percent from 533,529,000 bushels in 2013, and up eight percent from the 10-year average of 529,254,300 bushels. U.S. durum wheat production in 2014 is estimated at 60,515,000 bushels, down 2.3 percent from 61,913,000 bushels in 2013, and down 25 percent from the 10-year average of 81,083,700 bushels. Kansas winter wheat production is projected at 235,200,000 bushels in 2014, down 26 percent from 2013 production of 319,200,000 bushels, and down 29 percent from the 10- year average of 333,300,000 bushels. Oklahoma winter wheat production is projected at 51,000,000 bushels in 2014, a decrease of 52 percent from 105,400,000 bushels in 2013, and down 56 percent from the 10-year average of 116,710,000 bushels. Texas winter wheat production is projected at 57,200,000 bushels in 2014, down 12 percent from 65,250,000 bushels in 2013, and 35 percent from the 10-year average of 87,710,000 bushels. Nebraska winter wheat production is projected at 63,000,000 bushels in 2014, up 59 percent from 39,550,000 bushels in 2013, and down 3 percent from the 10-year average of 64,762,000 bushels. USDA s Small Grains Summary will be released September 30. U.S. Postage PAID Denver, CO Permit No CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee 4026 S. Timberline Rd., Ste. 100 Fort Collins, CO Colorado Wheat Farmer Non-Profit Org. Wheat Farmers Vote to Continue Two-Cent Assessment Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar announced that Colorado s wheat farmers voted to continue the two-cent per bushel wheat assessment in the Colorado Wheat Marketing Order. One and one half cents of the assessment is refundable. The wheat referendum was conducted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture March ,013 wheat farmers (66 percent) voted to continue the two-cent assessment, while 525 (34 percent) were opposed. A simple majority was required for passage. The assessment increase was initially passed in 2007, with a provision that wheat farmers would vote again in 2014 to make the increase permanent. More than 50 percent of the assessment increase has been and will continue to be allocated to wheat research. The Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC) is the producer- Cont d on p. 2

2 2 COLORADO WHEAT FARMER SUMMER Collaborative On-Farm Test (COFT) Results 2014 Collaborative On-Farm Tests (COFT) Variety Performance Results 2014 Varieties a COFT Antero Byrd Denali TAM 112 Brawl CL Plus Snowmass Average Yield b Test Wt Yield b Test Wt Yield b Test Wt Yield b Test Wt Yield b Test Wt Yield b Test Wt Yield b Test Wt County/Town bu/ac lb/bu bu/ac lb/bu bu/ac lb/bu bu/ac lb/bu bu/ac lb/bu bu/ac lb/bu bu/ac lb/bu Adams/Bennett N Adams/Prospect Valley Baca/Two Buttes Baca/Vilas Baca/Walsh Cheyenne/Arapahoe Logan/Leroy Morgan/Orchard Phillips/Haxtun Prowers/Bristol Washington/Akron Washington/Akron S Washington/Anton Washington/Central Washington/Lone Star Weld/Keenesburg Weld/New Raymer SE Weld/New Raymer SW Weld/Roggen Yuma/Yuma Average yield/test Wt Significance c A B B C C, D D LSD (P<0.30) for yield = 1.0 bu/acre, LSD (P<0.30) for test weight = 0.3 lb/bu. a Varieties are ranked from left to right by highest average yield. b Yield corrected to 12 percent moisture. c Significance: Varieties with different letters are have yields that are significantly different from one another. The objective of the 2014 COFT was to compare the performance of wheat varieties of interest to Colorado farmers. In 2014, the varieties included Antero (high yielding HWW), Byrd (very high yielding HRW), Brawl CL Plus (herbicide tolerant and high yielding HRW), Denali (high yielding HRW), Snowmass (extremely high quality HWW), and TAM 112 (stable yielding HRW). Varieties are tested under unbiased, farm field-scale conditions, with farmer equipment. The COFT program is in its 16th year and the majority of Colorado s 2014 wheat acreage is planted to winter wheat varieties that have been tested in the COFT program. On-farm testing leads to wider and faster adoption of new varieties. In the fall of 2013, thirtyfive eastern Colorado wheat Colorado Wheat Farmer The Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee is organized under the Colorado Wheat Marketing Order approved by a referendum of Colorado wheat producers in WHEAT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Darrell Hanavan...Executive Director Anne Seavey...Office Manager Joe Westhoff...Field Representative SPEAKERS AVAILABLE The Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee members and staff are available for speaking engagements. If you need a speaker on markets or Committee programs or activities, please contact our office by phone (970) , or write the Committee. There is no charge for these engagements. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Anderson, District #1, Haxtun, CO... President Randy Wilks, District #3, Burlington, CO... Vice President Steve Beedy, District #6, Genoa, CO... Past President Sara Olsen, District #2, Yuma, CO...Director Dale Ness, District #5, Byers, CO...Director Brad Warren, District #4, Keenesburg, CO...Director Shelby Britten, District #7, Haswell, CO...Director Brett Shelton, District #8, Lamar, CO...Director Mike Williams, District #9, Hayden, CO...Director producers received seed for on-farm tests across eastern Colorado. Each farmer planted the six varieties in side-by-side strips at the same time and seeding rate as they seeded their own wheat using their own wheat drills. Twenty viable harvest results were obtained from the thirty-five sets of the seed that were distributed. Failed tests were due to drought conditions and hail. The COFT results need to be interpreted based on all tests within a year and not on the basis of a single variety comparison on a single farm in one year. Results from the 20 tests this year are powerful tools for selecting varieties for this fall. Cont d from p. 1 The overall average yield was 54.8 bushels per acre. The highest yielding variety, Antero, was 1.5 bushels per acre higher-yielding than Byrd which was 0.2 bushels per acre higher-yielding than Denali. Denali yielded 3 bushels per acre higher than TAM 112. Most of these varieties fit specific conditions. For example, if a farmer wants a high-yielding hard white wheat that does not qualify for a premium, then Antero is the variety of choice. For farmers looking for control of winter annual grasses, Brawl CL Plus is the obvious choice. Farmers wanting to grow hard white wheat with exceptional quality and qualify for a premium should select Snowmass. There were some exceptional high and low yields in this year s on farm testing. The highest yielding variety strip was 93.6 bushels per acre, and the lowest was 7.9 bushels per acre. Test weights were generally high. Brawl CL Plus, Denali, and TAM 112 had significantly higher test weights than the other varieties (60.3, 60.1, and 60.2 pounds per bushel, respectively). Byrd and Snowmass had the lowest average test weights (59.5 and 59.4 pounds per bushel, respectively). Variety test weights in the strips ranged from 56.4 pounds per bushel up to 64 lb/bu. Wheat Farmers Vote to Continue Two-Cent Assessment elected board of control (directors) that administers the Colorado Wheat Marketing Order, approved by a referendum of Colorado wheat farmers in 1958, pursuant to the Colorado Agricultural Marketing Act of Assessment funds must be used for research, market development and education programs to increase the consumption and utilization of Colorado wheat. This vote will allow us to continue our vital wheat research program at Colorado State University (CSU), bringing us wheat varieties tailored for Colorado, such as Hatcher, Byrd and Brawl CL Plus, said CWAC Past President Steve Beedy, a wheat farmer from Genoa, The future promises even faster development and release of better varieties through implementation of new breeding technologies, including genomic selection, doubled haploid breeding and the capacity to more rapidly respond to new insect and disease threats. Even more exciting varieties and non-gmo traits such as herbicide tolerance are in the pipeline at CSU, to ensure a bright future for wheat in Colorado. We thank Colorado wheat farmers for the support and faith they have placed in CWAC.

3 COLORADO WHEAT FARMER SUMMER Eastern Colorado Winter Wheat Variety Performance Trials By Jerry Johnson and Scott Haley The Colorado State University (CSU) Crops Testing and Wheat Breeding and Genetics programs provide current, reliable, and unbiased wheat variety information as quickly as possible to Colorado farmers for making better variety decisions. CSU has an excellent research faculty and staff, a focused breeding program, graduate and undergraduate students, and dedicated agricultural extension specialists. Wheat improvement in Colorado would not be possible without the support and cooperation of the entire Colorado wheat industry. Strong farmer support for our programs is critical for sustained public variety development and testing. Our wheat variety performance trials and Collaborative On-Farm Tests (COFT) represent the final stages of a wheat breeding program where promising and newly released experimental lines are tested under an increasingly broad range of environmental conditions. There were 44 entries in the dryland performance trials (UVPT) and 28 entries in the irrigated performance trials (IVPT). All trials included a combination of public and private varieties and experimental lines from Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. Seed companies with entries in the variety trials included WestBred (Monsanto), AgriPro (Syngenta), Limagrain, AGSECO, and Watley Seed Company. There were entries from four marketing organizations, PlainsGold (Colorado), Husker Genetics (Nebraska), the Crop Research Foundation of Wyoming, and the Kansas Wheat Alliance. All dryland and irrigated trials were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Plot sizes were approximately 175 ft 2 (except the Fort Collins IVPT, which was 80 ft 2 ) and all varieties were planted at 700,000 viable seeds per acre for dryland trials and 1.2 million viable seeds per acre for irrigated trials. Yields were corrected to 12 percent moisture. Test weight information was obtained from an air blower-cleaned sample of the first replication or from a combine equipped with a Harvest Master measuring system Dryland Variety Performance Trials Southeast locations Walsh Planted 10/2/2013. September precipitation and good emergence. Freezing events, but not too bad. Dry conditions from planting until May Blowing between the rows. Jointing was later than normal. Brown wheat mites were present around the trial. On May 23, the site received 1.5 inches of rain. In early June it received another 1.5 inches. The trial average yield of 33.3 bushels/acre was better than expected given an October date of planting. Lamar Planted 9/23/13. Brown wheat mites bad in April. Soil probe to 3, very dry. Very small plants in June (average plant height at harvest was 18 inches). Soil was very dry. Brown wheat mites damaged plants and drought led to dry plants. Trial was highly variable Brand/Source Summary of 2014, 2-Yr, and 3-Yr Average Yield and Test Weight for Colorado Dryland Variety Trials c 2014 Average a 2-Yr Average a 3-Yr Average a Yield Test Weight Yield Test Weight Yield Test Weight Variety bu/ac lb/bu Variety bu/ac c lb/bu Variety bu/ac lb/bu CSU exp CO11D Antero b Antero b PlainsGold Antero b Byrd Byrd PlainsGold Byrd Settler CL Denali WY CRF Cowboy Denali Settler CL CSU exp CO09W040-F1 b Oakley CL Ripper PlainsGold Denali Bill Brown Brawl CL Plus CSU exp CO11D LCS Mint TAM Husker Genetics Settler CL Ripper Bill Brown CSU exp CO09W009 b Brawl CL Plus TAM PlainsGold Bond CL Bond CL Winterhawk KWA Oakley CL Winterhawk T PlainsGold Bill Brown Clara CL b Hatcher PlainsGold Hatcher Hatcher Above AgriPro Syngenta SY Monument TAM TAM CSU exp CO011D Iba Bond CL PlainsGold Ripper WB-Grainfield Clara CL b CSU exp CO09W293 b Above Snowmass b PlainsGold Snowmass b T Robidoux Limagrain exp LCH TAM KWA Clara CL b Gallagher WestBred Monsanto Winterhawk TAM PlainsGold Brawl CL Plus Snowmass b Limagrain LCS Mint Robidoux CSU Akron Watley Seed TAM Bearpaw AGSECO TAM Freeman WestBred Monsanto WB-Grainfield Oklahoma Genetics Iba PlainsGold Prairie Red OK Genetics Gallagher PlainsGold Above Limagrain T PlainsGold/MT State CSU Blend AgriPro Syngenta TAM KS exp KS10HW78-1 b KWA KanMark Husker Genetics Robidoux PlainsGold Yumar KWA MT State Univ. Bearpaw Limagrain Exp LCH MT State Univ Warhorse Husker Genetics Freeman Average a Varieties ranked according to average yield in 2014, according to average 2-yr yield, and according to average 3-yr yield. b Indicates hard white winter wheat. All other varieties hard red winter wheat. c 2014 Average yield based on nine 2014 trials and test weight based on eight 2014 trials. 2-yr average yield based on nine 2014 trials and seven 2013 trials and test weights based on eight 2014 trials and five 2013 trials. 3-yr average yield based on nine 2014 trials, seven 2013 trials and nine 2012 trials and test weights based on eight 2014 trials, five 2013 trials and eight 2012 trials. Summary of 2014, 2-Yr, and 3-Yr Average Yield and Test Weight for Haxtun, Colo. Irrigated Variety Trials 2014 Average a 2-Yr Average a 3-Yr Average a Test Yield Test Weight Lodging Yield Weight Yield Variety bu/ac lb/bu 1-9 c Variety bu/ac lb/bu Variety bu/ac Origin CSU exp CO09W040-F1 b Denali WB-Cedar PlainsGold Antero b Antero b Antero KSU Exp KS030887K Brawl CL Plus Denali PlainsGold Denali T Brawl CL Plus KWA Oakley CL SY Wolf SY Wolf Limagrain Exp LCH Settler CL T Agripro Syngenta SY Wolf WB-Cedar Byrd WY CRF Cowboy Freeman Settler CL PlainsGold Brawl CL Plus Byrd Thunder CL CSU exp CO11D Iba Robidoux Husker Genetics Robidoux Robidoux Yuma Husker Genetics Freeman Yuma Hatcher WestBred Monsanto WB-Grainfield Hatcher WestBred Monsanto WB-Cedar Thunder CL b CSU Exp CO09W CSU Exp CO11D Limagrain T PlainsGold Byrd Limagrain LCS Mint Agripro Syngenta SY Southwind Husker Genetics Settler CL CSU Exp CO11D PlainsGold Hatcher PlainsGold Thunder CL b CSU Exp CO09W293 b Limagrain Exp LCH OK Genetics Iba CSU Yuma a Varieties ranked according to average yield in 2014, according to average 2-yr yield, and according to average 3-yr yield. b Indicates hard white winter wheat. All other varieties hard red winter wheat. c Lodging scale: 1-no lodging, 9-severe lodging. Notes were taken 20 days before harvest. for plant height (minimum 13 inches, maximum 24 inches). No weeds were present. Visit to trial by Tony Frank, president of CSU. The nearest weather station showed 8 inches of precipitation from September 2013 through June Another 6.5 inches fell in July. Average trial yield was 24.8 bushels/ acre. Sheridan Lake Planted 9/19/13 into good soil moisture conditions that led to good stands. By April, soil was very dry and frost damage was evident. In June the leaves were rolled from Test Weight lb/bu drought. There were no insect or disease pests. According to the nearest weather station, only 6.3 inches of rain fell from September 2013 through June Another 2.8 inches fell in July. Trial average yield was 41.4 bushels/acre. Given the low precipitation, yields were Cont d on p. 6

4 4 COLORADO WHEAT FARMER SUMMER 2014 News From The: National Association of Wheat Growers Advancing Wheat Through Innovation and Advocacy NAWG Participates in Discussion on Biotechnology National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) First Vice President Brett Blankenship participated in a panel discussion on biotechnology August 13 during the D.C. Biotechnology Round Table hosted by Illinois Soybean Association and the American Soybean Association. Blankenship participated in a farmer panel that also included a corn and soybean farmer. The one-day event brought together farmer-leaders, regulators, trade negotiators and industry representatives to discuss biotechnology and its importance in meeting the growing world demand for food. Darci Vetter, U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator presented the keynote address. Events like this are important to bring stakeholders together to discuss our growing need for more innovation, research and a more streamlined, science based approval process. If we are going to feed 9 billion people by 2050, we need to start getting more serious about gaining acceptance both at home and abroad, commented Blankenship. Though there is currently no biotech wheat in commercialization, NAWG supports biotechnology and encourages the use of innovation to explore the emerging biotechnology industry. Visit for a full list of speakers and more information on the D.C. Biotechnology Round Table. House Passes Regulatory Reform Bill On July 31, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 935, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act by a vote of 267 to 161. The House voted on the bill earlier under suspension of the rules, but the bill failed to reach the two-thirds majority necessary for passage. The July 31 vote required a simple majority to pass. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) has supported passage of H.R. 935 and its preceding legislation, H.R. 872, for several years and is pleased with its passage. H.R. 935 eliminates the need for a duplicate permit for pesticide applications. As a result of a legal decision in 2009, EPA began requiring National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for pesticides near waters of the U.S. in The NPDES permit is needed in addition to the pesticide application regulation under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act that has been in place for over 30 years. The passage of this bill is a positive step toward reducing unnecessary regulations, but now moves to the Senate, where H.R. 872 stalled during the 112th Congress. NAWG urges the Senate to take up H.R. 935 prior to adjourning this fall. Bipartisan Support for TPP Urges President to be Harsher on Market Access On July 30, 140 members of the U.S, House of Representatives sent a letter to President Obama expressing their concerns over the current negotiations regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and its affect on agricultural markets. The letter urged President Obama to pursue a high standard, 21st Century agreement. If the U.S. would agree to the terms offered by Japan, they would considerably undermine Congressional support, as well as limit the ability for farmers and ranchers to access foreign markets. The letter states, we urge you to hold Japan to the same high standards as other TPP nations. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) supports a comprehensive agreement that provides improved market access. Sign up for NAWG Newsletter To receive the weekly National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) electronic newsletter every Friday, go to You can also follow NAWG on twitter at and on Facebook at House Subcommittee Examines Size Standards for Small Businesses July 24, the House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade, examined the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards for agricultural producers. The Subcommittee, chaired by Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Colo.) heard testimony from: John Shoraka, Associate Administrator, Government Contracting and Business Development at the SBA, Mark Oestmann, a fourth generation farmer and rancher from Greeley, Colo., Ken Keesman, owner of KK Red Angus Farms in Osborn, Mo. and Robert Guenther, Senior Vice President for Public Policy at United Fresh Produce Association. The SBA establishes small business size standards in order to simplify the process of writing federal policy as it relates to small business concerns. Currently the small business agricultural enterprise does not increase with inflation as it does in other sectors, it is set in statue and only subject to review if Congress believes it is necessary. As a result, the agricultural size standard has remained at the $750,000 level since 2000, and as Mr. Shorka points out in his testimony the SBA has reviewed and adjusted monetary based size standards for inflation four times in that time period. As equipment and input costs such as fertilizer, seed and energy continue to increase so do the receipts that exist for agriculture producers. Mr. Oestmann, who farms 1,500 acres of corn, 500 acres of soybeans and 500 acres of wheat, gave the example that from 1985 to 2006 an average price for corn was approximately $2.27/bushel and their farm receipts for just corn during that period would have been $681,000, but compared to today s average price of $4.94/bushel from , the same 300,000 bushels would bring in around $1,482,000. Given this example Mr. Oestmann asked that the SBA seriously consider raising the arbitrary $750,000 in receipts that currently exists for agriculture producers. To read the full testimony from the hearing you can visit the Committee s website at Grain Inspection Resumes at Port of Vancouver, Washington Grain inspections at the Port of Vancouver, Washington officially resumed on Tues., August 12 after a tentative labor agreement was struck between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and several grain shipping companies in the region. Grain inspections had been stalled in the port since early July, when the Washington State Department of Agriculture decided it could no longer fulfill its obligation to provide official grain inspection and weighing services at the Pacific Northwest port, citing safety concerns after Washington Governor Jay Inslee ended state police escorts. USDA s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration also cited safety concerns related to the labor issue as the reason it would not replace state grain inspection officials with Federal Grain Inspection Service inspectors. National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), U. S. Wheat Associates (USWA) and other industry groups affected by the stoppage shared with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that closing a major export location hurt farmers and their overseas customers and risked damage to U.S. wheat s reputation as the world s most reliable supply. NAWG is pleased that grain is moving and a tentative agreement has been reached by both sides of the labor dispute, but we are still frustrated by the lack of involvement by USDA throughout the process, and most importantly, their refusal to act upon their congressionally mandated obligation to provide official inspection services during the stoppage of inspections, said NAWG President Paul Penner, a wheat farmer from Hillsboro, Kan. NAWG and USWA believe that under the U.S. Grain Standards Act, the Secretary of Agriculture should have fulfilled the obligation to provide official inspection services at export locations to facilitate efficient and costeffective marketing of U.S. grains and oilseeds even if an authorized state agency fails to do so.

5 COLORADO WHEAT FARMER SUMMER News From The: Colorado Association of Wheat Growers CAWG: Making Your Voice Heard Gardner Wheat Tour Visits Morgan and Adams Counties U.S. Congressman Cory Gardner joined Colorado Association of Wheat Growers (CAWG) and Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC) officers and staff to tour wheat farms in Adams and Morgan counties in eastern Colorado on Saturday, June 28. Gardner, whose 4th Congressional District accounted for 96 percent of Colorado s total wheat production in 2014, valued at $303 million, visited the Wickstrom farm near Orchard, and the Linnebur farm near Byers. About 35 area wheat farmers joined the Congressman for lunch at the Wickstrom farm and 45 attended the dinner at the Linnebur farm. During the farm visits, the program included brief remarks from CAWG Past President Mark Linnebur of Byers, CWAC Past President Steve Beedy of Genoa, and hosts Cary Wickstrom and Mark Linnebur, followed by Congressman Gardner speaking to the crowd and taking questions. Congressman Gardner spoke about the long-awaited Farm Bill which was passed in January and said he will work to make sure it is implemented in a way that fulfills the intentions and hopes that wheat farmers had for it. Gardner also spoke on pending trade agreements. A strong, open trade program is going to benefit American producers, American consumers, and eastern Colorado, Gardner said. There have been some trust issues between the White House and Congress. I hope we can get over that hump and see these trade agreements move forward. Gardner also encouraged CAWG members and officers to stay active in their organizations, saying, There are not enough of us left in agriculture to not be involved. Topics the CAWG and CWAC officers discussed with Congressman Gardner included the 2014 Farm Bill, agricultural appropriations, environmental issues and regulations, trade issues, and priorities for federal funding for Colorado wheat research, including funding for wheat research at CSU and the Central Great Plains Research Station. This is the 24th year for the wheat tour, held with Colorado s District 4 Congressional Representative. The tradition started with Congressman Wayne Allard in CAWG President Randy Traxler said, It is important to bring the Fourth Congressional District Representative out to the country to see just what farmers are dealing with. Rep. Gardner was able to see exceptional fields of wheat as well as wheat that was impacted by hail, sawfly, and drought. Also, there was an opportunity for farmers to ask questions of the Congressman and express their concerns. Congressman Cory Gardner (R.-4th) visits the Linnebur farm near Byers on the 2014 Gardner Wheat Tour. Left to right: CWAC President Dave Anderson, CWAC Past President Steve Beedy, Genoa, Congressman Gardner, CAWG Past President Mark Linnebur, Byers, CAWG President Randy Traxler, Otis, and CWAC Board Member Sara Olsen, Yuma. CWAC Past President Steve Beedy said that the Congressional Wheat Tour is important to CWAC as well as CAWG, because part of CWAC s mission is education. Part of our job is to educate farmers, and we are doing that by participating in the Gardner Wheat Tour. We also have the opportunity to talk to the Congressman about issues which are very important to both Colorado farmers and all U.S. wheat farmers, such as trade, Beedy said. If you would like to see the webcast of the Gardner Wheat Tour event at Wickstrom farms, you may watch at BarnMedia/2014GardnerWheatTour-Wickstrom. Thank you to Brian Allmer and BARN Media for providing the webcast. Letter from CAWG President - Randy Traxler I hope this column finds you finished with wheat harvest and turning to fall crop development and prep work on fallowed acres. I feel very fortunate for the rain we received this growing season. We were very dry in March and April. I know the east central and southeast portions of our state are still in drought conditions. Please remember these farmers in your thoughts and prayers. I know some of you are thinking wasn t Randy Traxler president of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers (CAWG) just two years ago?! And you would be correct. I have the unique opportunity of serving again as your president. For those of you who don t know me, I am the third generation on this dryland farm in Otis, Colorado. If you don t know where Otis is, it is located between Platner and Hyde in Washington County, Colorado. We grow primarily wheat and proso millet and have grown sudan grass, grain sorghum, and oil-type sunflower in rotation. The dryland corn and proso millet in my area look very good. The wheat looks very good as we look anxiously to the afternoon skies for signs of thunderstorms. The season of political campaigns is beginning, and with it, the onslaught of media and commercials. Don t let the special interests and political action committees set the agenda for you. Stay informed and exercise your right as an American to vote. There were several ballot initiatives for this fall concerning local control of the oil and gas industry, which have now been dropped in favor of a task force that will study fracking in Colorado and make recommendations to the legislature. We are still keeping an eye on an a possible initiative requiring labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This last legislative session was relatively quiet with just a few bills that caught our attention. To be better prepared for a dynamic legislative session, CAWG formed a new legislative committee that meets at least once a week by conference call with our lobbying firm, Capital Focus, to discuss pending legislation. We discuss strategy and our position on bills. This has allowed the executive committee some flexibility in making visits to Denver. We have a larger group now that can testify, lobby, and be effective advocates for Colorado wheat. I appreciate the work that they have done and expect the same next year. Brian Brooks of Walsh has been a part of that legislative committee this year, and now he has been elected as the CAWG secretary/treasurer. I thank him for his dedication and we are all looking forward to his greater involvement. I would like to thank Mark Linnebur for his two consecutive years as CAWG president. I know it wasn t easy at times, but he persevered. Mark is a very good advocate for Colorado wheat and farmers in general. He made contact with state and federal legislators to give voice to Colorado wheat farmers. One of the last things Mark did as CAWG president was to host one of the stops on the Gardner wheat tour. Mark and his family did a great job and it was a nice way for the tour to conclude. The wheat tour we put on for the Fourth Congressional District Representative is very important in my opinion. This year CAWG took U.S. Congressman Cory Gardner to the Wickstrom farm in Morgan county for a tour and lunch. This gave us the opportunity to show the Congressman the challenges and triumphs of the agricultural community. Also, we can express our concerns about federal legislation that we feel affects Colorado farmers. Both the lunch at the Wickstrom farm and dinner at the Linnebur farm were well attended, and we thank all of those who were able to come out, and encourage you all to attend the next CAWG or Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC) event you hear about.

6 6 COLORADO WHEAT FARMER SUMMER Eastern Colorado Winter Wheat Variety Performance Trials Cont d from. 3 exceptionally high. Arapahoe Planted 9/19/13 in good soil moisture conditions. Very dry in April with distinct drought patches and very small plants. Some frost damage apparent. In June, the trial was very uneven within single plots and among plots within the trial. Patches of short plants more apparent in June and were highly variable. There were also white heads from frost or drought. Due to the variability, and lack of any meaningful data, this trial was not harvested Dryland Variety Performance Trials Northeast Locations Burlington Planted 9/24/13. In April, soil was very dry and no subsoil moisture. However, plots still looked good and did not seem stressed. There was no winterkill. Brown wheat mites were present in isolated spots. According to precipitation records at the nearest weather station, there were 4.25 inches of rain in September 2013 and then 4.39 inches of rain in June In early June there was a very recent rain but it was obvious that the plants had been drought stressed before the rain. Brown wheat mite damage on one end of trial. There appeared to be some root rot. Freeze damage apparent in all varieties with some white heads. Trial average yield was 45.3 bushels/acre. Genoa Planted 9/30/13. In April there was very good moisture (probe down to 5 feet). Some leaf burning and winterkill. In early June there was moderate leaf rolling in some varieties and there had been a small amount of moisture. There was a severe hail event in June and the trial was abandoned. Roggen Planted 10/2/13. Sludge applied during the previous year, but no other fertilizer applied except starter at planting. In early April there was good subsoil moisture (probe went in easily). There was no winterkill, disease, or insect infestation. Plant stands were acceptable in all parts of the trial. According to the nearest weather station there was 15.5 inches of precipitation from September 2013 through June Trial received 1.25 inches of rain/snow moisture from May 10-12, Very uniform trial in early June with slight curling of the leaves. The trial received hail on June 24 (estimated yield loss of 10 percent to 30 percent). Trial average yield was 80.7 bushels/acre. Akron Planted 9/26/13. In April, soil was very dry and plants were drought stressed. The whole trial was affected by severe wind erosion that covered some plants. The wheat was blown out around the edges of the trial. No mites, winterkill, or disease. In early June there was some hail damage as well as wind erosion. Some freeze damage was evident. Some plots suffering from drought and others not. The weather station showed 15.8 inches of precipitation from September 2013 through June Trial average yield was 61.7 bushels/acre. Yuma Planted 9/20/13. In early April, minor winterkill could be seen and soil was dry. In early June the soil was very dry, and some varieties had curled leaves. Trial was very uniform and stands were good. Precipitation, according to the nearest weather station, from September 2013 through June 2014 was 10.2 inches. Trial average yield was 70.7 bushels/acre. Orchard Planted 10/1/13. In mid-october the emergence was very uniform due to moisture from recent rains. Leaf tips were burned from frost damage based on site visit in mid-april. Soil probe went down to 1.5 feet. According to the nearest weather station there was 10.2 inches of precipitation from September 2013 through June Very uniform trial. At harvest, some wheat stem sawfly damage was noted. Trial average yield was 58.2 bushels/acre. Julesburg Planted 9/26/13. In mid-november plant stands were good and there was good soil moisture. In April however, the trial was dry with some burning on leaf tips. Precipitation, according to the nearest weather station, from September 2013 through June 2014 was 14.3 inches. Trial average yield was 83.6 bushels/acre. General Wheat Growing Conditions in Southeast Colorado - Wilma Trujillo Wheat producers in the southeastern area of the state planted into some of the best soil moisture conditions that they have seen in several years. Rains in mid- August and early September restored farmers hope after losses from drought in recent years. The good moisture conditions led to an increase in the number of wheat acres that were planted compared to The favorable conditions also resulted in good stands going into winter. During the winter months temperatures were colder than normal. The majority of the southeastern corner was still under severe and extreme drought conditions. Lack of moisture combined with high wind conditions (gusts reaching 60 miles-per-hour) produced dust storms and blow-out of wheat fields. As wheat fields started to green up in the spring, some concerns continued regarding winterkill due to extremely cold temperatures. Cool temperatures experienced in March and April delayed crop development and it was one to two weeks behind normal. Record low temperatures with little or no snow cover caused some damage to the wheat crop in mid-april. Fortunately, the wheat was not jointed yet and only minor freeze damage occurred. In mid-may, temperatures were in the mid- to low-20s, which was low enough to damage wheat in more advanced growth stages. At this time, more fields were in the jointing and pre-boot stage than the freeze in April. Soil moisture conditions were still short. In mid- to late-may, rain and the return of more seasonably warm weather helped wheat survive. Accumulated precipitation was 4.45 inches from October 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 at the CoAgMet weather station south of Lamar. During the spring and early summer, precipitation was largely isolated and insufficient, with no significant improvement in moisture supplies noted. In mid- to late-june, the area saw a fair amount of hail, ranging from light hail events to more major damage. Wheat Growing Conditions in the Central High Plains Ron Meyer The 2014 wheat growing season in Eastern Colorado was one for the record books. The 2013 wheat crop had exceptionally disappointing yields. Some wheat fields averaged only 5 bushels per acre. The 2013 Colorado wheat crop came in at only approximately 50 percent of normal for the state. The dry weather continued into early September of 2013 with wheat planting on many farms delayed, waiting for moisture to drill into. Relief finally came with major precipitation occurring September 11 through 13. Weather stations throughout Eastern Colorado all recorded heavy rainfall, with some areas south of Burlington receiving 8 inches. The weather station Burlington 3 recorded 3.79 inches over the three day period, 2.54 inches more than the long term average for the month of September. As a result of the prior dry growing season and reduced tillage strategies employed by producers, most areas in Eastern Colorado had only a limited amount of water runoff. Although isolated areas experienced water runoff, a major benefit of the reduced tillage practices employed by Eastern Colorado producers resulted in much of that precipitation percolating into soil profiles. That precipitation capture turned out to be a wheat crop maker. From October 2013 until April 2014, the rest of the growing season continued to experience below normal precipitation. Finally, moisture relief was received in April and May at many locations, and coupled with cooler than normal weather, wheat yields responded positively. As a result of September rainfall capture and cooler and wetter weather patterns in April and May, 2014 wheat yields across Eastern Colorado were double the previous year s yields. The driest period during the growing season was November 6 through January 4 where no precipitation was received during a 60 day period. Yet in June, the Burlington site reported 37 percent of the days had some precipitation. For the 2014 wheat growing season, precipitation at Burlington 3 from August through May was only 60 percent of normal. However, as a result of reduced tillage practices, cooler air temperatures and late season moisture, wheat yields were much better than expected. Wheat Growing Conditions in the North Central High Plains Bruce Bosley Many dryland wheat producers in the north central high plains experienced a once in a lifetime wheat crop this year. Some wheat fields averaged over 80 bushels per acre. However, for a few, this year will be remembered with disappointment over their good prospects being thwarted by hail and unmarketable, disease infested grain. September s planting season started dry but rains came in the middle and latter part of the month. As a result of wet fields, many farmers were planting in October, and some planted after October 15th. September rains were notably higher in fields near the Foothills and less or absent near the eastern state border. October had a slightly higher than normal rainfall, and averaged 5.5 degrees cooler for daytime high temperatures. The period from November through February is typically the driest time of year for the High Plains region, normally receiving less than 1.5 inches of total precipitation. In November and December, the climate was slightly warmer and also drier than normal. However, snowfall amounted to higher than normal levels in both January and February. Warm spells melted some of this snow in January. February s snow cover helped protect wheat in those fields that had good stubble and crop residues during an exceptionally cold month. Wheat in tilled and low residue fields suffered cold and frost injury during the coldest days of February. March and April were somewhat warmer than average. However, minimum temperatures dropped significantly once in late April. Due to late plantings and cold weather in February, jointing occurred about days later than normal. Many farmers found high infestations of army cutworms stunting the spring regrowth in their fields. Winter-killed wheat was first noted during April, especially on late October planted wheat. Wheat die-back, in patches or large areas of the field, was due to wind damage on bare fields. The temperature dropped to below freezing on May 11th, 12th, and 13th. Heavy snows in May packed down or flattened developing wheat stems. The cool and wet June helped most dryland wheat fields develop the record level wheat yields. However, some farms had significant hail storms that reduced yields and caused delays in maturation. Storms continued into July and harvest was delayed. Common bunt (stinking smut) became evident in some fields, especially in the northeast corner of Colorado. The delayed planting and cooler and wetter conditions at seeding contributed to the development of bunt. The exceptional yields harvested by many area farmers can be attributed to many factors, including: adapted wheat varieties, good tillage, crop, pest, and plant nutrient management practices. However, this year adequate soil moisture reserves, timely snows and rains and moderate temperatures during pollination and grain-fill helped to optimize the wheat potential Irrigated Variety Performance Trials Haxtun Planted 10/23/13 after corn harvest. Leaf tips a little burned from frost on April 14, Stands were acceptable, but not great. No diseases or pests found. Managed for maximum yield by Servi-Tech and the cooperator. Harvested 7/22/14. Trial average yield was bushels/acre. Very high yields given the late date of planting. Fort Collins Planted 10/2/13. Very uniform trial. Planting later than typical after 4.3 of rain in mid-september, good stand establishment. Good winter and spring moisture and timely irrigation with ample precipitation. No damage from freeze but wheat was laid down due to heavy May winds. Trial average yield was bushels/acre. Rocky Ford Trial could not be harvested for the past two years. In 2013 the trial was highly variable for height, suffered from an early infestation of Brown mites, had herbicide damage, and morning glory was a problem. In 2014, there was severe lodging due to heavy wind and rain, and the entire trial was lying flat on the ground.

7 COLORADO WHEAT FARMER SUMMER Winter Wheat Variety Selection in Colorado for Fall 2014 Planting The variety performance summary tables (page 3) provide useful information to farmers, seed producers, and wheat industry representatives in Colorado and surrounding states. Variety selection and planting should be based on important guidelines. Producers should focus on multi-year and multi-location yield summary results when selecting a new variety. Farmers should select varieties based on three-year average performance and not on performance in a single year and especially not on performance at a single location in a single year. Producers should plant more than one variety in order to minimize production risks from variable weather conditions and unexpected pest outbreaks. Producers should plant treated seed for protection against common bunt (stinking smut) and other seed borne diseases. There are many seed treatment fungicides that provide excellent control of this disease as well as loose smut. Use one that is labeled for control of common bunt. Producers should pay attention to other non-yield characteristics in making their variety selection decisions, including ratings for maturity, plant height, coleoptile length, disease and insect resistance, and end-use quality characteristics. These non-yield traits are useful to spread production risks due to the unpredictability of weather conditions and pest problems. Refer to the Description of Winter Wheat Varieties in Eastern Colorado Trials for varietyspecific information for these and other traits. Producers should control volunteer wheat and weeds to avoid loss of valuable soil moisture as well as avoiding a green bridge that could lead to serious virus disease infections vectored by the wheat curl mite (wheat streak mosaic virus, High Plains virus, Triticum mosaic virus) or aphids (barley yellow dwarf virus). Producers should soil sample to determine optimum fertilizer application rates. Sampling should be done prior to planting so nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer requirements can be met. The CSU Extension factsheet entitled Fertilizing Winter Wheat is available online at for assistance with wheat fertilization. Producers should plant seeds per acre and not pounds per acre. A farmer planting 35 pounds per acre could be planting 350,000 seeds per acre or 630,000 seeds per acre depending on the number of seeds per pound. Different varieties and seed-lots can vary widely in seed size. Refer to the How to Calibrate Your Drill for information on how planter adjustments can be easily made (available online at Producers should be aware that new races of stripe rust emerged in 2010 and again in 2012 and many varieties that were resistant before are now susceptible. Farmers should refer to the Description of Winter Wheat Varieties in Eastern Colorado Trials for updated information on variety susceptibility. If variety resistance/susceptibility, market prices, expected yield levels, and fungicide and application costs warrant an application, farmers should consult the North Central Regional Committee on Management of Small Grain Diseases (NCERA-184) fungicide efficacy chart. Regular updates to this chart can be found on the CSU Wheat Breeding Program Wheat Links page ( colostate.edu/links.html). Variety Selection Under Dryland Production Conditions Many new varieties possessing multiple valuable traits and superior dryland or irrigated yields are currently available. The first six varieties are described in greater detail below, ranked based on their three-year average dryland yield performance. Snowmass is also highlighted because of specific traits it possesses. Antero A hard white wheat (HWW), released in 2012, and marketed by PlainsGold. It is very high yielding and has a three-year average dryland yield that is essentially equivalent to Byrd and it was the top-yielding variety in the 2014 COFT. It has medium height and maturity, good drought stress tolerance, good test weight, very good stripe rust resistance, and moderate sprouting tolerance (similar to Hatcher). For the 2015 crop, a grower premium will not be offered by Ardent Mills for Antero grown in Colorado. Byrd A medium-maturing, medium-height, high yielding hard red winter (HRW) wheat, marketed by PlainsGold. Byrd was the top-yielding variety across the dryland locations in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and second to Antero in It was the top yielder in the 2012 and 2013 COFT. Byrd has excellent drought stress tolerance and excellent milling and baking qualities. It has average test weight and an intermediate reaction to stripe rust. Byrd has relatively small kernels, similar to Bill Brown, so seed size should be monitored and planting rates should be adjusted to avoid excessively high plant populations. Denali A medium-late maturing HRW variety marketed by PlainsGold for production in Colorado and marketed in Kansas by the Kansas Wheat Alliance. There was no significant difference for yield between Denali and Byrd in COFT this year. It has photoperiod sensitivity, which can cause excessively late heading. It is medium-tall, has excellent test weight and average milling and baking quality, and is moderately susceptible to the new races of stripe rust. Settler CL A later maturing HRW single-gene Clearfield winter wheat, marketed by Husker Genetics in Nebraska. It is later maturing, has medium height, average test weight, good milling and baking quality, and is moderately susceptible to the new races of stripe rust. Very strong combined dryland and Winter wheat harvest at the Brooks farm near Walsh, June 29. irrigated performance in CSU variety trials. Ripper An early-maturing HRW variety, marketed by PlainsGold. Ripper is high yielding, very drought stress tolerant, and has good milling and baking quality. It has a lower test weight, and is very susceptible to stripe rust. Ripper has shown extremely stable yields, being in the top five of the three-year dryland yield averages every year from 2005 to Brawl CL Plus A two-gene HRW Clearfield variety, marketed by PlainsGold. In combination with methylated seed oil (MSO), control of feral rye with Beyond herbicide is much improved relative to control achieved with single-gene Clearfield wheat varieties. Brawl CL Plus has early maturity, medium height, and excellent test weight, an intermediate reaction to stripe rust, and excellent milling and baking quality. Snowmass A HWW variety, marketed by PlainsGold through the CWRF Ardent Mills Ultragrain Premium Program. Snowmass has a very strong and unique quality profile, making it extremely valuable in whole-grain flour applications. It is medium maturing, has average test weight, and is a taller semi-dwarf which provides additional crop residue. It has good resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus, moderate sprouting tolerance (similar to Hatcher), and moderate susceptibility to the new races of stripe rust. It has shown lower yields in 2013 and 2014 dryland variety trials and the COFT, although farmers can get a premium (based on protein) when it is grown under contract with Ardent Mills. Variety Selection For Irrigated Production Conditions at Haxtun and Fort Collins The most important variety selection criteria for irrigated varieties are yield, straw strength, and stripe rust resistance. Under limited-irrigation conditions, drought stress tolerance can also be important. The top five yielding varieties at each trial location based on a three-year average are emphasized below. Variety selection recommendations are not included for Rocky Ford as trials could not be harvested for yield in the past two years. In 2013 the trial was highly variable for height, suffered from an early infestation of Brown mites, and morning glory was a problem. In 2014, there was severe lodging due to heavy wind and rain, and the entire trial was lying flat on the ground. Haxtun WB-Cedar An early-maturing HRW, marked by WestBred Monsanto. It has good leaf and stripe rust resistance and excellent straw strength for highinput irrigated conditions. Antero See dryland description above. It has very high yields under dryland and irrigated conditions, average straw strength, and good resistance to stripe rust. Denali See dryland description above. It has average straw strength and moderate susceptibility to stripe rust. Brawl CL Plus See dryland description above. It has very good straw strength and an intermediate reaction to stripe rust. SY Wolf A medium-maturing HRW, marketed by AgriPro Syngenta. It has a very broad disease resistance package, with good protection for leaf spotting diseases (tan spot and Septoria), leaf rust, and moderate resistance to stripe rust. Very good straw strength and good milling and baking quality. Fort Collins Byrd See dryland description above. It has average straw strength and intermediate reaction to stripe rust. Antero See descriptions above. Robidoux A medium-height, medium-maturing HRW variety, marketed by Husker Genetics in Nebraska. It has average test weight and straw strength, and moderate resistance to stripe rust. Very good milling and baking quality. T158 A medium-early maturing and medium height HRW variety, marketed by Limagrain. Average straw strength, excellent drought tolerance, and good stripe and leaf rust resistance. Denali See descriptions above.

8 8 COLORADO WHEAT FARMER SUMMER 2014 Stinking Smut A Problem for Some Colorado Farmers This Year By Bruce Bosley Problems with stinking smut (common bunt) were seen in northeast Colorado this year. Losses from smut rarely occur unless a grower chooses not to plant treated seed. Stinking smut fungi survive between growing seasons as spores that are time and weather resistant (called teliospores). These spores typically rest on the surface of healthy seed or in Loose smut of wheat photo courtesy the soil. These spores can remain dormant APSnet. and alive in either location for a number of years, perhaps ten years or more, particularly if the spores remain dry on the seed surface. Stinking smut spores germinate and begin to grow when the environment is favorable. Young smut fungus grow root-like threads (called hyphae) that penetrate into the tissues of young wheat seedlings. As the plant grows, the fungal hyphae also grow inside the wheat plant. The fungus keeps pace with the wheat plant s growth and development. Eventually, the fungus cells replace the cells of the wheat seed, and as wheat kernels mature the smut fungus cells become teliospores. During harvest, the smut spores are released from infected heads as the heads pass through the combine used to harvest the grain. They contaminate other seed being harvested or are spread by the wind to the soil surface. Cool temperatures (41-59 F) favor the germination of the teliospores. Usually the soil moisture, which favors seed germination, also favors spore germination. Therefore, for winter wheat which is planted in the fall, infection is favored when the seed is planted later when soil temperatures are cooler. Planting winter wheat early, when the soil temperatures are above 68 F, results in very low fungus infections. One of the greatest success stories in plant disease control is found in the use of chemical seed treatments for control of stinking smut. To date, no significant problems have occurred with the development of fungicide resistance in the smut 2014 Wheat Field Days Yield Contest Winners Announced The 2014 Colorado Wheat Field Days featured the Fourth Annual Yield Contest. All in attendance were given the chance to pick the variety they thought would yield highest at that plot location. The person predicting the top variety, or the variety closest to the top, won a $25 Visa gift card. The tie breaker was the yield, so the winner was the participant who guessed closest to the actual yield. At Walsh, the top-yielding variety was CSU experimental variety CO09W009 with a yield of 42.8 bushels per acre. Brian Brooks was the only person to select that variety, and he estimated it would yield 42 bushels per acre. Brooks was also the closest estimate of the entire tour, only.8/bushel away from the actual yield. The top-yielding variety at Sheridan Lake was LCS Mint, which yielded 48.6 bushels per acre. The highest yielding variety that anyone chose was PlainsGold Byrd, at 44.8 bushels per acre, which was selected by Jay Specht of Sheridan Lake, who estimated it would yield 46.8 bushels per acre. The top-yielding variety at Lamar was PlainsGold s Hatcher, at 30.3 bushels per acre. Dave Tzilkowski of Lamar was the only one to select Hatcher, and he estimated it would yield 22 bushels per acre. At the Burlington plot location, the highest yielder was PlainsGold Byrd at 55.6 bushels per acre. Several people picked Byrd, but Larry Vavra had the closest guess with 51.2 bushels per acre. The Genoa location was not harvested due to hail damage, so a drawing was done from the yield cards from that field day, and the winner was Heidi Faughman of Elbert. The top-yielding variety at Roggen was Cowboy at 98.0 bushels per acre, a variety developed at CSU and sold to the Crop Research Foundation of Wyoming because of its suitability to Wyoming growing conditions. No one selected Cowboy as their top yielder. Several people selected PlainsGold Antero, the next-best variety, at 93.1 bushels per acre. While nine people chose Antero, Charles Klausner of Roggen had the best guess at 81 bushels per acre. The best-yielding variety at Orchard was CSU experimental variety CO11D174, at 68.7 bushels per acre. Two people chose that variety, but Matthew Hicks of Briggsdale had the closest estimate with 59.4 bushels. The top-yielding variety at the Akron plot was PlainsGold s Byrd at 70.5 bushels per acre, which was selected as the winner by 35 people. The closest yield estimate was from Craig Saxton of Yuma, who guessed that Byrd would yield 66.7 bushels per acre. At Yuma, the best-yielding variety was PlainsGold Antero, followed by CSU experimental variety CO09W040-F1, and PlainsGold Byrd in third place. No one guessed Antero, but several people selected Byrd. Of the six people who chose Byrd, Conner Blach had the closest estimate to the actual yield of 83.0 bushels per acre, with his entry of 73.4 bushels per acre. Blach was also one of the two winners of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers scholarships this spring, so we are glad to be sending him off to college with an additional $25. The best-yielding variety at the Haxtun irrigated trial location was CSU experimental variety CO09W040-F1, which no one selected. It yielded bushels per acre. The highest-yielding variety that anyone chose was Syngenta variety SY Wolf, at bushels per acre, which was selected by Steve Millage of Holyoke, who estimated it would yield bushels per acre. At the Julesburg plot location, the best-yielding variety was CSU experimental variety C011D174 at bushels per acre. The highest-yielding variety that anyone picked was PlainsGold variety Denali at 97.5 bushels per acre, which four people picked. The closest yield estimate was Jerome Criswell of Chappell, Nebraska, who estimated it would yield 78 bushels per acre. fungi. Seed treatment is relatively inexpensive, very effective, and environmentally safe since very little of the active ingredient is applied per unit of land. All current winter wheat varieties planted in the High Plains Region are susceptible to the two major seed borne smut diseases found here, loose smut and stinking smut. No resistant varieties have been developed for these two diseases in this region due to their infrequency. The severity of stinking smut can also be manipulated by choosing a planting date when the soil temperature is above 68 F. This usually means early fall seeding for winter wheat. While this practice can reduce the incidence of smut, it rarely eliminates the disease altogether. Furthermore, several wheat diseases and insect pests are favored by early plantings. Wheat growers who harvest grain for their own replanting or for re-sale as certified seed should consider fungicidal seed treatments especially this year for reducing disease risks. Please contact Bruce Bosley for more information on this or other cropping systems or natural resource topics by cell phone: (970) or via bruce. Great American Wheat Harvest Movie Shows in Limon September 5-7 The Great American Wheat Harvest movie will show at the Lincoln Theater in Limon on September 5-7. Showings are at 7:30 p.m. each evening. The movie is a documentary film that will tell the story of hard-working custom harvesters who travel from the heart of Texas to the Canadian border harvesting the wheat that feeds our great country and the world. This film is being produced by award-winning director and producer, Conrad Weaver, President of Conjostudios, LLC based out of Frederick, Maryland. For more information about the film, visit com Colorado Wheat Field Days at Scherler Farms near Sheridan Lake, June President s Column - Dave Anderson Cont d from p. 1 when used in combination with Beyond herbicide. Growers have also taken advantage of the extra income available when planting the hard white winter varieties developed at CSU that are eligible to participate in the CWRF Ardent Mills Ultragrain Premium program. This investment by Colorado s wheat farmers has allowed the program at CSU to become a leader nationally in winter wheat breeding and one of the top programs anywhere in the world. Even after setting the bar as high as they have, our wheat breeder and his research team at CSU are not resting on their laurels. There are developments in the pipeline that will continue to increase our yields and improve milling and baking properties. Improvements in varieties will come much faster than in years past due to advanced genetic techniques, such as doubled haploid breeding, which allows the production of a genetically pure cross in the lab in a very short time, and molecular marker analysis that allows for trait selection from seedlings instead of having to grow the plant through its whole life cycle. All of these techniques are possible because of funding from the check-off and from royalties paid on varieties coming from the program and released through the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation under the PlainsGold brand. But there is much more being done at CSU than just work on improved yields. Investigation is ongoing into the possibility of the development of non-gmo novel traits in our varieties that include herbicide tolerance, more efficient nitrogen use, improved drought tolerance and human health traits. Imagine a wheat variety that belongs to Colorado s wheat farmers that gives people with gluten intolerance the ability to eat bread products! With the check-off funding for wheat research now secure, I truly believe the best is yet to come!