Can We Manage Wheat and Still Make a Profit?
2007
- University of Illinois Dept. of Crop Sciences
Project Media
For many years, wheat acreage has continued to decline. When I first came to Illinois in 1980, growers planted nearly 2,000,000 acres and in 2006 they planted approximately 700,000 acres. Poor yields, diseases (especially scab), and poor prices have contributed to reductions in acres. In addition, both corn and soybeans have been more profitable. However, growers in the southern Corn Belt, especially Kentucky, have seen significant increases in wheat yields, often exceeding 100 bu/a. Combined with higher prices and good yields in 2006, more acres were planted to wheat this fall in Illinois. To achieve high yields, growers have focused on improved varieties, uniform stands, fungicide and insecticide seed treatments, proper fertilizer application rates and timing, weed control, and foliar fungicides and insecticides. Our research has focused on fungicide/insecticide seed treatments and foliar fungicides.