Forage Yield
Fall forage production potential is just one consideration in deciding which wheat variety to plant. Dual-purpose wheat producers, for example, may find varietal characteristics such as grain yield after grazing and disease resistance to be more important selection criteria than slight advantages in forage production potential. Forage-only producers might place more importance on planting an awnless wheat variety or one that germinates readily in hot soil conditions. Ultimately, fall forage production is generally not the most important selection criteria used by Oklahoma wheat growers, but it is one that should be considered.
Fall forage production by winter wheat is determined by genetic potential, management, and environmental factors. Management factors such as planting date, seeding rate, and soil fertility are very influential and are frequently more important than variety in determining forage production. Environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature also play a large role in dictating how much fall forage is produced. All of these factors along with yield potential after grazing and the individual producer’s preferences will determine which wheat variety is best suited for a particular field.