LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University has just released the results of its 2015 wheat performance trials. This should give growers a chance to review the results before making purchasing decisions for fall planting.
Although the MSU wheat research team has planted variety trials for more than 15 years, there have been three years of high management, or intensive management, trials.
These are sponsored by the state’s new wheat checkoff, the Michigan Wheat Program (MWP).
Intensive management trials included an additional 30 pounds of 28 percent nitrogen per acre, according to the MWP. Quilt was applied at Feekes stage 8.5-9 and Prosaro was applied to control fungal diseases at about the average flowering date in each location. Ninety-six varieties were tested, including 32 experimental lines.
The latest trials were at seven locations in five counties, three of them in Ingham County. Test sites were also located in Huron, Lenawee, Sanilac and Tuscola counties. A head scab nursery as well as the control site in Ingham County were under conventional management practices.
"The results from the high management variety trials have been very telling," said Dave Milligan, MWP chair and a wheat grower from Cass City. "It is no wonder why growers are adopting high management, which they are."
According to MSU wheat breeder Eric Olson, three years of high management variety trials have shown there is a 15 bushels per acre increase in yield when growers use high management practices compared to conventional, on average.
None of the seed varieties tested are genetically modified, or GMOs.
According to Olson, Michigan’s latest wheat crop was generally planted fairly late in 2014. That usually translates into lower yields, he said; however, cool weather in May and June produced good yields. He said growers actually had an extended grain fill this season.
"I think it’s a safe general statement to say that high management can significantly increase yield given optimal conditions and the quality has been in the acceptable range for the industry," Olson said. "The quality of the wheat remains quite high."
On the other hand, high management is more expensive in strictly agronomic terms than conventional practices, and the MSU variety trials do not provide information on income or revenues.
But Olson maintains doing variety trials under intensive management gives everyone a better idea of yield potential using different practices.
"The most progressive farmers aren’t satisfied with 100 acres per bushel," he said. "They want 120, 130 bushels per acre. They’re looking to get 20 percent more. Progressive growers are willing to try new things. They want to have more tools in their toolbox."
Olson acknowledged some seed varieties cost more than others and "that can make a difference for some growers." Seeds developed by private sector companies can cost more than seeds developed by the public sector. "Some seeds can cost $10 more per bag," he said.
An example of the variety trial results includes the top multiyear performance brands. The top red wheat was AgriMAXX 447, which yielded 100.8 bushels an acre in 2015 and had a two-year 2014-15 average of 95.2 bushels. The highest-yielding white wheat was 9242W, which produced 98.2 bushels an acre in 2015 and had a 2014-15 two-year average of 93.6. Variety 9242W is made by Dyna-Gro Seed.
To see complete results of the latest wheat variety trials, go to the MWP website at www.miwheat.org and look under the "What’s Hot" heading in the left-hand column.
