At Grow Pro Genetics, we are focused on providing the best available wheat genetics and concentrate our breeding efforts to deliver high performing soft winter wheat varieties to our customers.

Terminating your wheat is a difficult decision to make and should be carefully considered with the support of your local agronomist. Although there is no guarantee that you will reach your performance goals, you can calculate your existing plant stand early to determine if you should abandon your wheat acres.

Common wheat is a very hearty plant and therefore can withstand temperatures that reach the freezing mark (32 F) or below for limited durations. The amount of damage that occurs will vary depending on the stage that the wheat is at. For example, a night of 30 F temperature on wheat at Feekes 5 will show some leaf damage and perhaps minimal stem damage, but yield loss should be minor. However, a night of 30 F temperature on wheat at Feekes 10.5 will result in moderate to severe head damage and yield loss will be significant. For a more detailed look at freeze damage in wheat, please refer to bulletin C646 from the Kansas State University Extension (Shroyer et al, 1995).

While great advances have been made in the last 10 years breeding for fusarium resistance, the reality is that no specific gene or stacked genes will completely resist Fusarium Head Blight (FHB or Scab). Certain varieties do show much higher levels of resistance to FHB-in bleached heads, shriveled kernels, and DON levels. Varieties with these genes are a great tool and can provide good levels of resistance if fungicide applications are difficult to complete. However, in almost all cases a timely fungicide treatment with an acceptable product will provide the best FHB suppression and lowest DON levels.

One plot every 29 seconds. There are roughly 435 plots in an acre, so we can harvest an acre of plots in 3.5 hrs. A good day with 11 hrs. of harvesting could be more than 3 acres.

Our breeding program advances the most elite performing varieties on an annual basis for placement into the marketplace. Product advancement decisions are made post-harvest, typically at the end of July, to be ready for shipping in August.

From the time of the initial cross to the release of the product for purchase, a variety is in development anywhere from 8-12 years. There are certain methods that can speed up the process, such as use of doubled haploids and single seed descent speed breeding. Most products are in development for a decade, going through rounds of genomic and natural selection, plus 4-5 years of rigorous yield testing.

Most distribution partners price their wheat according to multiple factors. Typical macroeconomics come into play such as the supply/demand of wheat seed and commodity prices. Locally, each of our seed partners continues to invest in their businesses to deliver top performance and quality to serve your business. This includes seed processing, conditioning, treatment and service support.

We hope you see the value of Grow Pro Genetics each year within your operation and continue to partner with us in the advancement of wheat seed technology.

Each representative of Grow Pro Genetics independently selects the best fit for their market demands. The market is full of great options to protect the investment in your wheat seed. We recommend using both a fungicide and insecticide to protect the crop from early season disease and pest pressure.

It’s always best to help your distribution partner by ordering product early. Communicate your planting intentions and organize your crop plan as soon as possible to allow for the supply chain process to begin. Like many farms – input logistics, delivery methods and operations all contribute to your wheat being available when and where you need it.

Seed size is an important factor when calculating how many seeds per acre you need. If conditions are optimal, lower rates will emerge and tiller to satisfy your plant stand goals. If planting is delayed, wet or you have less than optimal soil conditions planting higher rates can compensate for these challenges.

Most commonly we see 800,000 – 1,500,000 seed/ acre used. Some genetics tend to express more tillers and early season vigor while others yield based on wheat head size and grain density.

Many considerations should be made when preparing to plant your wheat. Soil conditions, weather and product maturity for example must be considered. Spreading risk between fields and genetics both increase your odds of a successful wheat stand. In our northernmost growing areas, we see wheat planted at the end of August. In the southern U.S., it is not uncommon to see wheat planted throughout the month of December.

With these extremes removed, we see most of the soft red winter wheat planted between September 15^th and November 30^th.

It all depends on the soil type, tillage practices, moisture availability and weather outlook. Most situations will be somewhere between ¾” and 2”. In tighter soils, shallower planting can help lead to better emergence in the fall. In more coarse soils, deeper planting can increase the moisture availability for a uniform emergence.

In no-till or other situations where there is a lot of field variability, an increased depth can ensure that the seed makes good soil contact and is not trapped in the harvest residue of the previous crop. Our Station Manager prefers to plant seed into soil moisture to get the seed germinated in case any forecasted rain disappears after planting. On a warm fall day, this may mean that the planter needs adjusted to plant deeper as the afternoon sun continues to dry out the field conditions.