K-State Research and Extension wheat specialist Romulo Lollato talks about the condition of the 2021 Kansas wheat crop. Lollato says that spring moisture has made the prospects of a good wheat crop very promising, in part due to approximately 4-6 inches of precipitation received across Kansas since March 12.
“From now until heading is when the crop needs the largest amount of water,” said Lollato adding that wheat in many Kansas fields is just beginning to elongate its stem. “Having this 4-6 inches of water recently received is definitely going to be used in a very efficient way by the winter wheat crop in Kansas.”
Wet conditions last September followed by dry conditions in October created two very different crops in the state — one in which early planted wheat (September) began to emerge and develop in the fall, and another in which emergence took place more slowly due to dry October conditions.
However, Lollato said even the late-emerging wheat seems to be doing well this spring, possibly due to warm soil temperatures during the winter cold spell. The March rains in Kansas has helped the crop recover from potential winter injury, as well as helped to put fertilizer into the root zone that can be used by wheat during stem elongation.
“Right now we are hopeful that not much area of winter wheat will be lost due to that potential of winter kill from the February cold spell.”
Hear Lollato’s full report in this video from K-State Research and Extension photographer/videographer Dan Donnert.
FOR PRINT PUBLICATIONS: Links used in this story
Video: Winter wheat update, https://youtu.be/L_AtfcGum6Y
K State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu
Video by:
Dan Donnert
785-532-5804
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For more information:
KC Olson
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