Small Grain Field Days Scheduled for May

The North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association along with NC State Extension is hosting three small grain field days the second and third week of May. Dan Weathington, Executive Director NC Small Grain Growers Association says that each field day location will have some commonalities and differences:

“There will be several things that will be covered at each one of the locations, but for instance in Salisbury we have some unique soil types, some tillage tests, insect and disease control, among other things.” 

Each field day location; Rowland, Beaufort County and Salisbury will offer information unique to that particular area according to Weathington:

“We encourage everyone to attend these events to take advantage of the valuable information. You’ll see things that are timely to increase wheat production and yields in North Carolina.” 

With the crop running so early this year, Weathington says it’s not impossible that some wheat may be ready to harvest before the final field day on the 15th of May:

“The wheat crop is about three weeks ahead so we might not have any harvested before the 15th, but likely around the 25th if we continue to have these warm temperatures and hopefully some more rain to help mature these grains.” 

Weathington says that double-crop producers should see benefits with wheat running ahead of schedule:
 

As far as recent freezing, and near freezing temperatures, Weathington says that it appears that wheat dodged a bullet in most areas.

Dr. Randy Weisz has sent out both scab and rust alerts in recent days, and Weathington says that while it’s too early to determine if a field was hit with scab, it’s his opinion that the rust situation is very isolated:

“We are always eager to get the soybeans in, so getting the wheat out a week or ten days ahead will help to put those in the ground earlier. We hope to have some additional rain to help out the situation.”
 

For dates and locations of the three field days, visit the calendar on our website HERE.  

Executive Director of the NC Small Grain Growers Association, Dan Weathington.
 

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