News
Wheat lodging and quality issues possible from high winds, severe storms
A wheat extension educator says wheat yield losses from this week’s severe weather will depend largely on the crop development stage.
Michigan State University’s Dennis Pennington says, “The closer to harvest the lodging occurs, the less reduction in yield you have.”
“If the lodging occurs like right at flowering, that damage is going to be a lot higher, it’ll reduce grain fill,” he explains.
Pennington says wheat lodged during grain fill can lose 10 to 30 percent of its yield, or more if damage is widespread.
“If it remains lodged, 30 to 50 percent or even more reduction in yield,” he says, can occur. “And then if the field is flat, you probably will see lower test weight, increased fusarium, some sprouting and harvest inefficiency.”
Educators recommend harvesting wheat early when faced with rain threats to reduce grain quality issues.
Add Comment