COLUMBUS — Growers wondering how this year’s historic rains have impacted wheat now have proof that it has indeed been a tough year for the crop, according to the results of the 2015 Ohio Wheat Performance Test.
The test results are offered by researchers with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University and can be viewed at go.osu.edu/wheatresults.
Different locations
The results provide growers with the latest information on how well 78 soft red winter wheat varieties grown at five Ohio locations in Wood, Crawford, Wayne, Darke and Pickaway counties have performed this year.
The test is designed to evaluate wheat varieties, blends, brands and breeding lines for yield, grain quality and other performance characteristics, said Laura Lindsey, a soybean and small grains specialist with Ohio State University Extension.
Related: Heavy rains compromise wheat.
“These performance tests provide wheat producers with comparative information to help them make informed decisions when selecting wheat varieties best suited for their production and market,” she said. “Because wheat varieties differ in their winter hardiness, disease and insect resistance, yield potential, standability and maturity, information on how they performed can be extremely helpful for growers.”
The results show that the 2014-2015 growing season was rough for many wheat growers in Ohio, Lindsey said.
“Wet weather in May, June and July led to late wheat harvest,” she said. “Many farmers had reduced test weight and increased disease problems. “Yields were also lower than normal.”
Lighter weights
The test results found that, generally, grain test weight averaged 56.3 pounds per bushel, compared to an average of 58.8 pounds per bushel in 2014. Yield averaged between 77 to 92 bushels per acre at the five locations in the test, Lindsey said.
“June and July were much wetter than normal in many areas, which resulted in a later than normal wheat harvest,” she said. “Lower than normal test weight and grain yield may be attributed to wet weather in June and July and delayed harvest.”
Growers can also view a sortable version of the Ohio Wheat Performance Test at go.osu.edu/wheatest.
