Spring Wheat. The Spring Wheat Revival

Transcription

1 Spring Wheat The Spring Wheat Revival

2 Contents Introduction 3 New Spring Wheats 4 Spring Wheat Performance 5 December Drilled Wheat Yield and Specific Weight 6 Better Soils 8 Fewer Weeds 9 Reduced Inputs 10 Easier Management 12 Higher Rotational Returns 13 Spring Wheat Varieties 15 KWS Willow 16 KWS Alderon 17 Other KWS Spring Wheats 18 Belvoir 18 Zircon 18 2 The Spring Wheat Revival

3 Introduction As far back as the early to mid 1980s the spring sown crop accounted for around 20% of the total wheat area. At that time spring wheat was recognised for its rotational benefits and provided good premium opportunities as most of the widely grown varieties were quality wheats. However, as winter wheat breeding progressed into the 1990s the situation changed dramatically with the spring crop dropping back to 5% or less. It then spent the last twenty or so years very much in the doldrums, often only used when growers ran out of time in the autumn. Now, all this has changed. On the back of significant plant breeding activity, today s spring wheat is a really useful tool for growers looking to maximise their profitability across the rotation. It is robust, flexible and profitable, with the yield and physical grain quality to match many of its late winter sown cousins. With rotational and agronomic needs changing on farm, spring wheat is now a viable, practical solution to many farm management issues. The Spring Wheat Revival 3

4 New Spring Wheats The new varieties of spring wheat are better able to exploit shorter seasons. They are usually at least 1-2 days faster out of the ground providing a strongly rooted plant that is more adept at coping with stress. Compared to winter wheats, the new varieties are leafier with a tendency towards bigger, longer leaves. This greater vegetative development helps maximise growth in difficult early season conditions. In addition, they generally produce fewer tillers than earlier sown winter wheats, producing an improved plant structure compared to less aggressive longerseason winter wheats. This enables stronger grainfill, helping to maximise physical grain weight and quality. Today s Spring Wheats Faster establishment Leafier plants with fewer tillers Moderate input high output Higher vigour and stronger tillers Better drought resistance Good disease resistance Low lodging risk Strong grain fill Good grain quality and high yields Higher thousand grain weight Spring wheats have no vernalisation requirement and so don t require a cold spell to trigger flowering. Winter wheats do require a cold period to go on to produce grain. Thus, there are risks from planting winter wheats in late winter or early spring conditions. 4 The Spring Wheat Revival

5 Spring Wheat Performance One of the key benefits of today s varieties is that there is a range of types to suit different end markets, whereas the older types were chiefly for the quality markets. As a result there are much higher yielding types available. Official trials data confirms that the yields of the best late-autumn sown spring wheats have increased by 12% since 2004 a larger improvement relative to winter wheats over the same period. However, spring sown, the best spring wheats offer one-third more yield than they did in the past. Indeed, the best spring wheats, sown in the spring, have RL yields of 7.5t/ha matching UK on farm average yields of winter wheats. Relative yield increases over last 20 years Yield t/ha Best Winter Wheat Conventionally Drilled Best Spring Wheat Late Autumn Sown Best Spring Wheat Spring Sown Data source: UK Recommended List The Spring Wheat Revival 5

6 December Drilled Wheat Yield and Specific Weight KWS UK Product Development Field Late sown winter wheat Winter sown spring wheat Yield t/ha Specific Weight Kg/hl Cordiale KWS Sterling KWS Target Oakley Conqueror KWS Santiago Zircon KWS Willow W 167 KWS Bittern W 184 KWS Alderon 64 6 The Spring Wheat Revival

7 Winter sown spring wheats, with their strong growth characteristics and long grainfill periods, tend to produce higher specific weights than late sown winter wheats. Some winter wheats, when drilled late, are pushed to their limits and simply don t have the ability or time to fill grain as effectively. KWS UK s winter sown spring wheats are specifically bred for this sowing window and as a result, no part of yield or physical grain performance is impaired. Spring wheats are also less costly to grow, requiring lower inputs, and, even without factoring in any potential premium, they provide farmers with some decent gross margins. KWS KWS Alderon KWS Alderon Santiago (autumn sown) (spring sown) RL Yield 11.1t/ha 9.9t/ha 7.49t/ha Output ( /ha) at 150/t 1,665 1,485 1,123 Costs ( /ha) Seed Agrochemicals Fertiliser Gross Margin ( /ha) 1, Data source: John Nix Farm Management Pocket Book (2013) For simplicity, growers can select from high yielding feed types which can be added to the Group 4 heap. Alternatively they can grow one of the quality wheats and aim to secure a premium, with the crop benefiting from the residual nitrogen left from the previous crop. Factor in the additional advantages of helping maximise the potential of the previous later harvested root or vegetable crop, the opportunities to gain more effective weed control and a better restructuring of the soil, and there s a really compelling argument to look again at spring wheats... The Spring Wheat Revival 7

8 Better Soils As the sowing season progresses, soil and weather conditions generally deteriorate, compromising soil, seedbed cultivation and crop establishment. In wetter autumns, soils can reach saturation point, especially under higher rainfall conditions and/or where subsoil drainage is inadequate. Lifting of root crops and vegetables tends to destroy soil structure particularly on weaker, lighter soils. These soils can be quick to consolidate and slump and have little ability to restructure themselves and so require careful, timely cultivations to repair any damage prior to planting the next crop. Many find that given the workload it is often simply impossible to plant up all land prior to winter. Spring wheats give management flexibility often allowing 3-4 months to find the right drying cycle when effective reworking of soils and seedbeds can be carried out. This way, you can work with the weather, including the effects of winter frosts, to open up soils, correct soil compaction, prepare a good tilth and so minimise poor rooting and subsequent yield loss in the following crop. Today s spring wheats help buy you time to get soils back to a better state one that benefits all crops across the arable rotation. 8 The Spring Wheat Revival

9 Fewer Weeds Given the reduced number of herbicide options available and increasing grass weed resistance issues, growers are being forced to consider delayed drilling in order to gain the weed control they need. With less reliable contact herbicides and climatic issues too variable to be sure of post emergence herbicide efficacy, the key is to gain the best control you can ahead of crop emergence. Good stale seedbeds are becoming an increasingly important tool in the farmer s armoury, particularly given the blackgrass threat many now face. Properly managed, stale seedbeds can help eliminate around 90% of the potential blackgrass problem. The aim is to work as close behind the combine as possible to produce a good stale seedbed working land up to no more than an inch in depth to create a flush of weeds, but not burying weeds too deep. While much depends on the available soil moisture and soil temperatures as well as the dormancy of the blackgrass, best practice suggests allowing at least 3-4 weeks growth before they are properly killed off. In many situations, more than one flush, particularly in low blackgrass dormancy seasons, will be needed to provide effective weed control for successful establishment of a following crop. By leaving as long a window as possible between crops often of two month s duration growers can secure better cultural and chemical weed control, helping to minimise the weed burden in subsequent crops in the rotation. At the same time this delayed drilling approach can provide a better opportunity to thoroughly structure the soil prior to the next crop. Spring wheat, which can be drilled from November through to April, is increasingly being used to provide growers with the extra flexibility they need to minimise their grass weed burden. The Spring Wheat Revival 9

10 Reduced Inputs Pesticides Later drilling commonly results in slower emerging crops which are at greater risk of pest attack. Cloddier seedbeds also encourage slug movement, exacerbating the problem. Those who do plant in late autumn will appreciate the need for the right seed treatment to protect against wheat bulb fly, and by later sowing, they will find that the seed treatment offers protection for a longer period. However, wheat bulb fly is a major problem notably on fen soils and after late lifted roots and an alternative approach is to sow spring wheats in late February through March such that crop emergence is usually long past egg hatch timing, and hence the crop is at low risk from the pest. While aphid pressures are reduced as a result of later sowing, growers should not ignore the risk of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus and should be prepared to utilise appropriate aphicides where needed. Fungicides All modern varieties of wheat respond well to inputs to support the high yield potential. Fungicide inputs for sowings of any wheats within the same calendar year will not vary significantly. Later planting utilising spring wheats will help reduce Septoria pressure, but equally will place the crop at greater risk of yield loss due to mildew. So, while the better disease resistances found in spring wheat varieties enables some flexibility in dose rates, it does not negate the need for a comprehensive spray programme. 10 The Spring Wheat Revival

11 PGRs While there are limited PGRs available for use in the spring wheat crop, spring wheats are less likely to produce excessive growth requiring the support of a full rate PGR programme. Although data is limited, Recommended List figures ( ) show that untreated straw height in spring wheats sown in the spring are between cm, but that in the conventionally drilled winter wheat programme heights can be taller, varying from 77-98cm, with their greater consequent lodging risks. Nitrogen All wheat crops should be fed to achieve target yield and breadmaking specification. Later winter sown and spring sown wheats will require less nitrogen as a result of their lower yield potential. Typically, late autumn sowings will require split nitrogen applications while spring drilled wheats will require the main application of nitrogen applied at the first timing to benefit tillering and also to make use of early spring moisture. Lower Costs While it is difficult to be specific, growers can expect cost-savings from utilising later sown winter wheats or spring wheats compared to conventionally drilled winter wheats. Where growers choose to tackle blackgrass utilising a full pre and post emergence autumn and spring based herbicide programme, they can expect to be paying 30-40/ha more compared to when they delay drilling and stale seedbed techniques are used. In terms of nitrogen, where 220kg/ha could be commonplace for conventional sowing, a saving of 60kg/ha on lower yielding spring wheats could cut 60/ha off the fertiliser bill. As a result, cost savings can be around 1/3 of those for the conventional winter wheat crop at between /ha. The Spring Wheat Revival 11

12 Easier Management Depending upon the scale and type of farm operation, the flexibility provided by growing a proportion of spring wheat can be invaluable. Farmers who have late lifted sugar beet, potato or vegetable crops will be fully aware of the benefits of a following wheat that can be drilled from November through winter and into the spring. These growers use spring wheats to secure the best possible yield and quality across a flexible sowing date calendar, one which is influenced by the need to maximise performance of the previous crop, and yet work in favourable soil and weather conditions. Spring wheats also offer the opportunity to iron out peak workloads across all arable operations. Some are also taking the opportunity to plant stubble turnips for winter stock feed, prior to growing spring wheat after the crop has been grazed or lifted. Growing feed varieties of spring wheat keeps storage and crop marketing simple as it can be added to the winter feed wheat heap. In comparison to spring barley, particularly when grown for malting, spring wheats need not necessarily be given priority at harvest, again easing management headaches during a busy period. With high nitrogen residues from previous crops not an issue in spring wheat compared to malting barley, many find it easier to achieve a milling sample from their spring wheat than their winter wheat. They help spread the drilling workload allowing growers to focus on getting some wheats drilled earlier, in good conditions, without having to force seedbeds. 12 The Spring Wheat Revival

13 Higher Rotational Returns Perhaps one of the most overlooked benefits that spring wheats provide is the ability to get the most from the previous crop. Many will be growing roots, vegetables or maize crops and as a result are bound by optimum harvest dates which fall outside of the traditional cereal drilling window of September-October. To harvest any earlier than these optimum dates will reduce the yield and quality of these break crops. By adopting spring wheats as the following cereal, growers can get the best out of both crops to ensure maximum returns across the rotation. For example, while it would be difficult to justify late lifting of beet on heavier ground, on lighter land there is much to gain from the higher sugar yields and the late delivery bonuses that are available. Beet continues to grow throughout the autumn with sugar yields peaking at a maximum level in mid-late November. So the longer the crop is in the ground prior to this, the higher the gross margin. Countering this, HGCA Recommended List trials over the last ten years show that the difference between drilling winter wheats before the first week of October and drilling spring wheats in March is almost 3t/ha. However, the data suggests that yield loss is greatest in the period from mid- September to mid-october and that growers can expect much less of a reduction in wheat yield from crops sown mid-october to December. Putting the later lifted beet crop and later planted wheat crop gross margins together over the two years they are grown paints a clearer picture of the trade-off between later lifting of beet and later planting of wheat. The Spring Wheat Revival 13

14 Combined Crop Gross Margin for Sugar Beet and Wheat at Different Lifting and Sowing Dates Over 2 Years /ha margin difference Beet Wheat Combined GM /ha Sep 19-Oct 19-Nov 19-Dec 19-Jan 19-Feb 19-Mar When the individual gross margins of wheat (at 150/t) and beet (at 27.53/t) are combined the additional sugar beet margin carries or offsets the wheat margin reduction. So, in effect, whenever you decide to lift beet and plant wheat in the period between November to the beginning of February, there s little difference in the combined crop gross margin. Similarly, by allowing potatoes to bulk for longer or lifting seasonal vegetables later to secure a higher value contract, you can use the spring wheat option to maximise performance across the rotation. 14 The Spring Wheat Revival

15 Spring Wheat Varieties KWS is one of a handful of plant breeders which has continued to invest in a major spring wheat breeding programme over the last twenty years. This programme complements our winter wheat breeding activity. Because there is little genetic difference between winter and spring varieties it gives a wider range of wheats from a mix of crosses. The fruits of this investment are now being seen commercially. Two-thirds of all 2012/13 Recommended List Spring Wheats are from the KWS plant breeding programme. More importantly, we are now providing growers with new varieties with exceptional yield performance in late winter and spring plantings and a real opportunity to maximise returns from late season and spring sowings. As a result of the improvements being seen, yields in RL spring sown trials over the last five years now average 7.3t/ha and, when these same spring types are sown in the late autumn, they are producing mean yields of just under 9t/ha. The two highest yielding spring types on the 2012/13 UK late autumn-sown wheat list KWS Willow and KWS Alderon have a four year treated mean yield of 9.9t/ha. These wheats are now only beaten by one winter wheat variety, Conqueror, also from KWS and are presenting growers with some exceptional gross margin opportunities. The Spring Wheat Revival 15

16 KWS Willow Highest yielding premium potential wheat in late-autumn sown trials Nabim Group 2 quality breadmaking wheat Wide sowing window, helping to spread the workload Robust grain characteristics highest specific weight [79.3kg/hl] in late-autumn sown trials Good disease resistance package, including excellent resistance to mildew KWS Willow is a high yielding Group 2 spring wheat, offering growers the potential to capture attractive breadmaking premiums from a wide window of late season sowing dates. As with other premium potential milling wheats, KWS Willow should be given priority at harvest to maintain the robust grain characteristics, required for the breadmaking market. KWS Willow Spring Sown Autumn Sown Mildew [8] [8] Yellow rust 6 6 Brown rust 7 7 Septoria tritici 6 6 Height (cm) 79 [92] Fungicide treated yield (t/ha) Data source: HGCA Recommended List for Late Autumn and Spring Wheat, 2012/13 16 The Spring Wheat Revival

17 KWS Alderon The highest yielding spring wheat in late-autumn and spring sown trials Excellent grain characteristics high proteins (13.4%), HFN (309) and specific weights (76.8 kg/hl) when spring sown Good resistance to both yellow and brown rust The perfect partner in wheat/sugar beet rotations Producing exceptional yields when sown in either the late autumn (9.9t/ha) or spring (7.45t/ha) slots, KWS Alderon is the highest yielding spring wheat on the UK Recommended List. When sown late autumn, KWS Alderon develops into a medium height variety; spring sown the variety develops shorter straw compared with many of the other traditional spring wheats. KWS Alderon Spring Sown Autumn Sown Mildew [5] [5] Yellow rust 8 8 Brown rust 8 8 Septoria tritici 6 6 Height (cm) [73] [81] Fungicide treated yield (t/ha) Data source: HGCA Recommended List for Spring Wheat, 2012/13 The Spring Wheat Revival 17

18 Other KWS Spring Wheats Belvoir Just pipped for top yield spot on the UK Spring Wheat RL (2012) by 1%, Belvoir has been the most popular Group 4 spring feed for the last five years. It is widely grown and well liked on farm for its excellent agronomics and short, stiff straw. Belvoir Spring Sown Autumn Sown Mildew [7] [7] Yellow rust 9 9 Brown rust 8 8 Septoria tritici 5 5 Height (cm) Fungicide treated yield (t/ha) Zircon A white-grained wheat backed by specific premium breakfast cereal contracts, Zircon provides a high gross margin opportunity sown late autumn or in the spring. Zircon Spring Sown Autumn Sown Mildew [7] [7] Yellow rust 9 9 Brown rust 7 7 Septoria tritici 6 5 Height (cm) Fungicide treated yield (t/ha) The Spring Wheat Revival

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20 KWS UK LTD 56 Church Street Thriplow, Nr Royston Hertfordshire SG8 7RE Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) E.mail: For more information on spring wheat please contact our product development manager, John Miles or visit our web site for the full details of the varieties available. Alternatively talk to your agronomist or seed merchant.