The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, Sept. 17 shows a continued slight deterioration in drought conditions for the state. Barton County is now entirely in moderate drought. The six to ten-day outlook (Sept. 24 to 28) indicates a 33 to 40% chance of leaning above normal temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of leaning to above normal precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (Sept. 26 to Oct. 2) indicates a 40 to 50% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of leaning below normal for precipitation.

Wheat is likely our most unusual annual crop. While corn, milo, and soybeans complete their life cycles in five or so months from spring to early fall, wheat takes approximately nine to ten months. If we had milder temperatures, even a bit longer. It grows through all or part of all four seasons. This presents special challenges such as planting date. Today, what producers consider for planting dates.

· We used to term it the fly-free date when planting. It was to protect wheat from Hessian fly infestation. Now it is a more general type of date to mitigate overall pest pressure. It’s generally based upon the average date of the first frost so it varies depending on where you are located. In northern Barton County about the last week of September. Once south of the river a bit later. It works pretty well when there’s a normal frost.

· Another consideration is growth. You don’t want too much fall growth and use up soil moisture as winter is typically our driest time of the year. It can also leave the plants more vulnerable to disease pressure such as Barley Yellow Dwarf and Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus. The advantage to earlier planting is greater tillering and root development with good soil moisture. It also allows a producer to decrease seeding rate. For those planning to graze cattle and wanting to maximize forage production, you will generally plant earlier and typically at a higher rate.

· You don’t want to plant too late and have insufficient establishment. As you move later towards and into November, tiller numbers go down. It also leaves less time for root system development. Therefore, as you head towards the end of October and into November you must increase the seeding rate.

· Those planting wheat on sand, worry less about the recommended planting date and more about soil moisture and plant establishment. Especially on ground prone to wind erosion. They will plant when they think there’s the best chance of plant establishment.

Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.