2023-2024 Small Grains Variety Performance Tests

Wheat Crop Overview

At the time of writing this report, 2024 Oklahoma wheat production is estimated to be approximately 105 million bushels, which is about 96% greater than 2023 production and 53% higher than 2022 production (Table 1). Approximately 4.4 million acres were planted for the 2024 crop year, lower than the 2023 crop and the previous 10-year average. Number of harvested acres is estimated at 2.7 million, which is 10% higher than in 2023. The statewide average yield is projected at 39 bu/ac. This is 14 bu/ac greater than the 2023 state average and 7 bu/ac greater than the previous 10-year average.

 

Table 1. Oklahoma wheat production for 2021, 2022 and 2023 as estimated by USDA NASS, June 2024.

 

Dual-purpose wheat producers planted at the optimal time in mid-September across much of the state. The wheat intended for dual-purpose was sown in good moisture, resulting in good emergence and stand. Fall precipitation was adequate to support sufficient fall forage production, allowing producers to utilize wheat pasture for fall grazing. For grain-only producers, October rains provided adequate moisture for good wheat emergence in most areas, including the Panhandle. However, in some regions, wheat was sown later and in drier soil conditions. No significant diseases or insect issues were observed in the fall.

 

An arctic blast at the end of January caused leaf damage in some wheat fields but did not seem to impact yields. By February, all late-sown wheat had emerged. The moist conditions during winter promoted wheat growth and development, indicating a good yield potential. Limited rainfall in the north-central and northwest regions prevented the incorporation of topdress N application. By early April, the wheat was ahead of schedule, with the flag leaf appearing two to three weeks earlier than normal. As the month progressed, the lack of moisture reduced wheat growth and yield potential. Especially in the north-central, northwest, and Panhandle regions, the continued lack of moisture late in the spring led to the deterioration of wheat fields. Overall, moderate temperatures and sufficient rainfall led to moderate to high fall forage production (for more information, see CR 2141 - Fall Forage Production and First Hollow Stem Date for Small Grain Varieties during the 2023-2024 Crop Year). Good soil moisture conditions in the winter accelerated plant development, and accelerated the onset of first hollow stem for our region. In the forage trials, the very early genotypes reached first hollow stem during the first week of February, while most of the very late genotypes reached first hollow stem during the second week of February.

 

Wheat started to head by mid-April in most areas, around April 8th in southwest and south-central OK and April 14 in the north-central region. Freeze events primarily affected the north-central and northwest areas, but the damage was minimal this year. Some fields exhibited heads with discoloration (i.e., bleached) due to different types of stresses like freeze and crown/root rots. By May, the crop was stressed due to lack of
water, and fields were ready to harvest by the Memorial Day weekend in southwest OK. However, rainfall occurred across the state and delayed harvest, reducing test weight accordingly. Irrigated wheat fields experienced significant delays due to rainfall at time of harvest.

 

Despite the relative dry conditions, widespread and significant disease pressure occurred as early as mid- to late March in southwest Oklahoma. Tan spot, Septoria tritici blotch, and powdery mildew were observed primarily on lower leaves, with moderate incidence and severity, though some fields showed high severity. Stripe rust was the most prevalent disease in April, reported in multiple locations across Oklahoma. Due to early stripe rust infection and the lack of all-stage resistance in most U.S. Great Plains hard winter wheat varieties, many showed susceptibility. Consequently, growers applied fungicides to manage stripe rust.

Leaf rust was first observed in the south-central and north-central regions around the last week of April to early May. However, because the infection occurred relatively late in crop development, it did not cause widespread damage to the Oklahoma wheat crop. Stem rust was also found on a few susceptible wheat breeding lines and varieties in the north-central region in early May. Samples of the infected stem rust were sent to the USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Lab in Minnesota for race identification. The pathogen race was confirmed to be QFCSC, which has been a dominant race in the USA for many years. Common root rot (caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana) and Fusarium crown/root rot were reported in multiple wheat fields where dry conditions prevailed, especially in western and north-west areas, but also in some fields in the south-central region. Infected plants were stunted and white, with discolored roots and lower stems. These plants died prematurely and produced white heads that were either sterile or filled with shriveled grain.

 

Towards the end of the season, black point was reported in wheat. Black point arises from stress-related reactions induced by fungi and/or environmental conditions and was favored by moisture during grain development. Black point in wheat grain can be a grading factor, as the discoloration can result in black flecks in flour milled from such grain.

In summary, this year’s crop was average but much better than the previous two years of extreme drought, even in the presence two rust diseases that lingered throughout grain development. Overall, the Oklahoma wheat crop was severely affected by lack of moisture during grain development and during two waves of stripe rust disease early and mid-season followed by leaf rust in into mid-May.

Most of the state’s rainfall occurred in the fall and winter, stopping during the critical period of wheat grain development, and then returning during the harvest period. Consequently, the harvest was delayed by a couple of weeks in some areas. According to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission report, grain yields averaged 40 to 50 bu/ac, with higher yields (60-80 bu/ac) achieved in intensively managed fields. Test weight was good at the beginning of harvest but decreased with precipitation, with values ranging from 56 to 64 lbs/bu. Wheat protein varied from 9 to 13.5% across the state, with a state average of 11.8%.

 

Testing Methods and Data Interpretation

 

Testing Methods

Seed was packaged and planted in the same condition as delivered from the respective seed companies. Most seed was treated with an insecticide plus a fungicide, but the formulation and rate of seed treatment used was not confirmed or reported in this document.

 

Plots were seven rows wide with 7.5-inch row spacing and were sown with a Great Plains no-till drill modified for cone-seeded, small-plot research. Except for dryland locations in the Panhandle, plots were planted 25 feet long and trimmed to 19 feet at harvest with the plot combine. Panhandle dryland locations were 35 feet long at planting and trimmed to 29 feet at harvest. Wheel tracks were included in the plot area for yield calculation for a total plot width of 60 inches. The experimental design for all sites was a randomized complete block with four replicates. The intensive management trials at Apache, Chickasha, and Lahoma received two fungicide applications, additional topdress nitrogen application in the spring, and were
planted on a seeds per acre basis at 1.2 million seeds per acre. Fungicide was applied at Feekes 6 (jointing) and Feekes 9 (flag leaf completely emerged). Additional information on product name, rate and date of application is included in the tables for the respective sites.

 

 

Plots received 5 gal/ac of 10-34-0 at planting. All variety trial locations were sown at 60 pounds per acre, except for the dual-purpose trials at El Reno and Walters, which were sown at 120 pounds per acre. Grazing intensity, nitrogen fertilization, and insect and weed control decisions were made on a location-by-lo­cation basis and reflect standard management practices for the area. In general, the spring-applied N rate was calculated for a 70 bu/ac yield goal for the standard management trials and 100 bu/ac yield goal for the intensive management trials.

 

Plots were harvested with a Winterstieger Delta small plot combine. Grain weight, test weight, protein concentration, and moisture content were collected from each plot, and grain yields and protein concentration were corrected to 12% moisture content. Grain moisture at all sites was generally below 12%, and maximum and minimum grain moisture for all plots at a location typically ranged no more than 2%. Similar to many wheat fields in the region, the Hooker trial experienced severe drought stress throughout the growing season, with significant plant mortality. Thus, this site was not harvested in 2023.

 

Data Interpretation

Yield, test weight, and protein data for each location and regional summary were analyzed using the appropriate statis-tical methods. At the bottom of each table, the mean and least significant difference (LSD) values are reported. The LSD is a test statistic that aids in determining whether there is a true difference in yield, test weight, and protein. In this report, one can be 95% confident that the difference between two varieties is real if the difference is greater than the LSD value. Data that is not significantly different is indicated by “NS”. For example, if the LSD value is 4 bu/ac in a trial where Variety A yielded 30 bu/ ac and Variety B yielded 25, then Variety A would be considered to have a statistically higher yield. However, if Variety C yielded 27 bu/ac, then Variety A and Variety C would be considered to have a similar yield. In that same example trial, there is a 5% chance that the 4 bu/ac difference between Variety A and Variety B does not truly exist, but random chance caused the 5 bushel difference. These chance factors may include differ­ences in fertility, moisture availability, and diseases. To aid in visualizing the varieties with the highest yields, test weights, and proteins, values highlighted in gray do not differ statistically from the highest value within a column. The performance of a variety may vary from year to year, even at the same location. Tests over two or more years and over multiple locations more accurately predict the performance of a variety.

 

Figure 1. Performance test locations.

 

Additional Information on the Web

A copy of this publication as well as additional information about wheat management can be found at:

 

Website: www.wheat.okstate.edu
Blog: www.osuwheat.com

X:  @OSU_smallgrains
Facebook:  @OSU Small Grains

 

• Table 2. Summary of All Individual Locations part 1.
• Table 3. Summary of All Individual Locations part 2.
• Table 4. Altus Regional Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 5. Alva Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 6. Apache Intensive Wheat Management Variety Trial.
• Table 7. Balko Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 8. Cherokee Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 9. Chickasha Regional Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 10. Chickasha Regional Intensive Wheat Management Variety Trial.
• Table 11. Chickasha Wheat Variety Trial Standard vs. Intensive Management Comparison.
• Table 12. El Reno Dual-Purpose Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 13. El Reno Grain-Only Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 14. El Reno Wheat Variety Trial Dual Purpose and Late-Planted Grain-Only.
• Table 15. Hooker Regional Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 16. Kildare Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 17. Kingfisher Grain-only Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 18. Lahoma Regional Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 19. Lahoma Regional Intensive Wheat Management Variety Trial.
• Table 20. Lahoma Wheat Variety Trial Standard vs. Intensive Management Comparison.
• Table 21. Walters Dual-Purpose Wheat Variety Trial.
• Table 22. Heading Date and Plant Height.
• Table 23. Seed Size and Seeding Rate Wheat Variety Trials.

 

Contributors

 

Authors

• Amanda de Oliveira Silva | Small Grains Extension Specialist
• Tyler Lynch | Senior Agriculturalist
• Israel Molina Cyrineu | Graduate Research Assistant
• Samson Abiola Olaniyi | Graduate Research Assistant=
• Dr. Brett Carver | Wheat Breeder
• Dr. Meriem Aoun | Small Grains Pathologist

 

Funding Provided By

• Oklahoma Wheat Commission
• Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation
• OSU Cooperative Extension Service
• OSU Agricultural Research
• Entry fees from participating seed companies

 

Area Extension Staff

• Brian Pugh | OSU Area Agronomist – Northeast District
• Josh Bushong | OSU Area Agronomist – Northwest District

 

County Extension Staff

• Erin Metcalf | Alfalfa County Extension Educator
• Loren Sizelove | Beaver County Extension Educator
• Riley Scott | Caddo County Extension Educator
• Kyle Worthington | Canadian County Extension Educator
• Kimbreley Davis | Cotton County Extension Educator
• Rick Nelson | Garfield County Extension Educator
• Kelly Burrows | Grady County Extension Educator
• MacKinze Overman | Kay County Extension Educator
• Bryan Kennedy | Kingfisher County Extension Educator
• Dr. Britt Hicks | Texas County Extension Educator & Area Extension
  Livestock Specialist
• Katherine Barger | Woods County Extension Educator

 

Station Superintendents/Staff

• Erich Wehrenberg | Agronomy Research Station, Stillwater, Lahoma
• David Victor | North Central Research Station, Lahoma
• Michael Pettijohn | South Central Research Station, Chickasha
• Mike Schulz, Blake Sisson, Greg Chavez | Southwest Research and Extension Center, Altus

 

Student Workers and Visiting Scholars

• Joao Victor Ferro
• Juan Ignacio Dietz
• Laura Victoria Silva
• Lettie Crabtree

 

Partial financial support provided by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and the Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation.

 

Participating Seed Companies

AgriPro
Dave Abel
704 W 9th Street,
Newkirk, OK 74647
Phone: (620) 218-0848
Email: david.abel@syngenta.com
www.agriprowheat.com
Varieties: AP Bigfoot, AP Prolific, AP Roadrunner, AP Sunbird, AP 24AX, Bob Dole, SY Wolverine

 

AGSECO, Inc.

Steve Ahring
P.O. Box 7
Girard, KS 66743
Phone: (620) 724-6223
Email: steve@delangeseed.com
www.agseco.com
Varieties: AG Golden, AG Radical

 

Armor by Winfield United
Todd Coulter/Ryan Moeller
500 North 1st street
Vincent, IA 50594
Phone: (765) 242-3161
Email: tgcoulter@landolakes.com
www.croplan.com
Varieties: AR Turret 25, AR Iron Eagle 22AX

 

CROPLAN by Winfield United

Todd Coulter/Ryan Moeller
500 North 1st street
Vincent, IA 50594
Phone: (765) 242-3161
Email: tgcoulter@landolakes.com

Email: rdmoeller@landolakes.com
www.croplan.com
Varieties: CP7017 AX, CP7869, CP722

 

Kansas Wheat Alliance (KWA)

Bryson Haverkamp
1990 Kimball Ave. Suite 200
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 320-4080
Email: kwa@kansas.net
www.kswheatalliance.org
Varieties: KS Mako, KS Providence

 

Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS)

Daniel Dall
1250 N Main St.
Benton, KS 67017
Phone: (316) 452-3505
Email: daniel.dall@limagrain.com
www.limargraincerealseeds.com
Varieties: LCS Atomic AX, LCS Galloway AX, LCS Helix AX, LCS Julep, LCS Photon AX, LCS Radar, LCS Runner, LCS Steel AX, LCS Warbird AX

 

Oklahoma Genetics, Inc. (OGI)

Mark Hodges
201 South Range Road
Stillwater, OK 74074
Phone: (405) 744-4347
Email: hodgesm1@cox.net
www.okgenetics.com
Varieties: Bentley, Big Country, Breadbox, Breakthrough, Butler's Gold, Doublestop CL+, Firebox, Gallagher, Green Hammer, High Cotton, Iba, OK Corral, Paradox, Showdown, Smith's Gold, Strad CL+, Uncharted

 

PlainsGold (Colorado Wheat Research Foundation)
Brad Erker/Tyler Benninghoven
4026 S. Timberline Road Suite 100
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: (970) 449-6994
Email: tbenninghoven@coloradowheat.org
www.plainsgold.com
Varieties: Byrd CL Plus, Canvas, CO18035RA, Crescent AX, Kivari AX, Whistler

 

Watley Seeds
Andy Watley
PO Box 51
Spearman, TX 79081
Email: watleyseed@valornet.com
www.watleyseed.com
Varieties : TAM 112, TAM 115, TAM 204

 

WestBred-Bayer

Lance Embree/Mark Lubbers
5014 W. 1st Ave
Stillwater, OK 74074
Phone: (316) 218-2661
Email: lance.embree@bayer.com
Email: mark.lubbers@bayer.com
www.westbred.com
Varieties: WB4401, WB4422, WB4632, WB4792

Partial financial support provided by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and the Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation.

 

Figure 2. Oklahoma Wheat Commission logo.