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Scout for signs of wheat diseases

A plant pathologist says farmers need to keep an eye on winter wheat as heads emerge.

Dr. Damon Smith with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield the fungus that causes head scab likes moisture and warmer temperatures, which are in the weather forecast. “I think folks should really be out scouting, looking at that anthesis. Are the heads out? Is there flowering there? The real sweet spot to get a fungicide application on is at the start of anthesis to about five days after the start of anthesis, so that’s really our opportunity there to get a fungicide on.”

Smith says farmers should also be watching for stripe rust in wheat, which was a problem in Wisconsin last year. “Michigan and Ontario, Canada have reported some county confirmations of stripe rust. We haven’t been able to find it yet but that is something folks should keep an eye on. Fortunately, whatever fungicide they choose for their head scab application will also take care of the stripe rust situation.”

Smith says farmers see about 50% of a field with at least one flower out, they have five to seven days to make a fungicide application.  He says spraying too early or too late is like not spraying at all and has no benefit. In Wisconsin, Smith recommends a fungicide application for wheat statewide.

Smith says head emergence is a little behind because of the lack of heat units during a cool spring.

AUDIO: Dr. Damon Smith discusses crop diseases and things to look out for with Brownfield’s Larry Lee