Seeding Rate Studies

2017 Wheat Seed Rate Test
Below is the yield data from our seeding rate test plots. As we have seen in the past we can achieve great yields with a lower seeding rate. In 2017, the 30 lbs/ac (399,000 seeds/ac) and the 70 lbs/ac (931,000 seeds/ac) were the top yielding seeding rates. The 70 lbs/ac may have done well due the poor planting conditions we had last fall and the good rains this spring and summer to help support the higher plant population. 2016 looks to have been similare to 2017 in that the lowest seeding rate was at the top with a higher seed rate yeilding similarly. You can look at that data below. When compared with 2015, the lower seeding rate performs well under both optimal and drought conditions. In addition, the higher seeding rates did well under conditions with plenty of moisture, but can have a significant yield drag under the less optimal condtions of 2015.

Variety: LCS Chrome
Planting date: 9-24-16
Practice: No-Till (into Milo stalks)
Treated: Vibrance Extreme, Revise Imida St
Fertilizer: Second crop from 5 tons/acre of conditioned manure + 70 lbs actual N topdress on Jan. 30th.
Rain Fall from October 1st 2016 to June 1st 2017: 14.7 Inches
Drill Type: 1890 on 10 inch spacing
Seeds Per Pound: 13,300
10 Inch spacing has 52,272 feet per acre

2016 Wheat Seed Rate Test Below is the yield data from our seeding rate test plots. As we have seen in the past we can achieve great yields with a lower seeding rate. In 2016, the 35 lbs/ac and the 65 lbs/ac were the top yielding seeding rates for both varieties in seperate parts of the field. The 65 lbs/ac may have done well due the poor planting conditions we had last fall and the good rains to help support the higher plant population. When compared with 2015, the 35 lbs/ac performs well under both optimal and drought conditions. In addition, the 65 lbs/ac did well under optimal conditions, but had a significant yield drag under the less optimal condtions of 2015. Variety: LCS Chrome Variety: WB4458 Planting date: 9-26-15 Practice: No-Till (into Milo stalks) Treated: Vibrance Extreme, Revise Imida St Fertilizer: Second crop from 5 tons/acre of conditioned manure + 45 lbs actual N topdress on Jan. 26th Rain Fall from October 1st 2015 to June 1st 2016: 13.0 inches Drill Type: 1890 on 10 inch spacing Seeds Per Pound: 12,100