Wheat Pete's Word, Mar 18: Frost seeding in the dark, sulphur timing, and winter injury risks

"Winter injury risk - Cold temperatures without snow raise concerns for wheat, barley, canola survival. Wind vs. wind chill questions? Actual temperature matters; wind drives cold deeper into crown zone. Fall seeded crop survival? Check for new root and bud growth to assess survival."

"Frost seeding oats? Early planting opportunity can deliver major yield advantages on tough soils. Early sulphur applications have benefit. Good conditions allow timely AMS applications on frozen ground. Reports of ATS salting out - Cold winter causes ammonium thiosulfate crystallization issues in storage."

"Residue management concerns - Wider headers outpace combines' ability to spread residue evenly. Grain bin management - Moisture migration and spoilage risks increase with poor sealing and airflow. Can you spread manure on frozen ground? Can be effective if conditions are right."

Ontario experiences volatile weather patterns affecting crop survival and farm management decisions. Winter injury threatens wheat, barley, and canola when cold temperatures occur without snow protection, with actual temperature mattering more than wind chill for crown zone damage. Frost seeding oats presents early planting opportunities with significant yield advantages on difficult soils. Early sulphur applications via ammonium sulfate on frozen ground prove beneficial when conditions allow. Practical concerns include ammonium thiosulfate crystallization during cold storage, grain bin moisture migration risks, and residue management challenges as wider headers outpace combine spreading capacity. Manure application on frozen ground requires careful consideration of conditions. Farmers should assess fall-seeded crop survival by checking for new root and bud growth and monitor nitrogen timing and wheat market class selections.

Read at Realagriculture