2017 Off-Station Spring Wheat Variety Evaluations

Note: A PDF version of this report can be downloaded by clicking this link

North Central Montana Off-Station Spring Wheat Variety Performance Evaluations

Principal Investigator: Peggy F. Lamb, Research Scientist, Northern Ag Research Center, Havre

Project Personnel:

Luther E. Talbert, Breeder/Geneticist, Spring Wheat, Bozeman
Hwa Young Heo, Research Associate, Spring Wheat, Bozeman
Kasee Clark, Research Technician, Havre
Kyla McNamara, Research Technician, Havre
Jesse Fulbright, Liberty County Extension
Ben Hauptman, Blaine County Extension
Tyler Lane, Chouteau County Extension
Marko Manoukian, Phillips County Extension

Cooperators:

Max Cederberg, Landowner, Turner
Kurt Kammerzell, Landowner, Chester
Pete Lumsden & John Flansaas, Landowners, Loring
Lyle McKeever & Terry McKeever, Landowners, Loma

Objectives

Diverse cropping environments exist within the five-county area most closely served by Northern Agricultural Research Center. Winter wheat, spring wheat, barley, durum and oat production together in the five counties (Blaine, Chouteau, Hill, Liberty and Phillips), represents nearly 28 percent of the 2012-2016 statewide cereal production totals (43 percent for winter wheat and 24 percent for spring wheat). Producers are keenly interested in variety performance data generated under local conditions. It is our objective, within budget and other resource limitations, to evaluate small grain variety performance, over time, under conditions representative of specific areas of northern Montana, yet differing from that of the Research Center. Growers are provided reliable, unbiased, up-to-date information to make comparisons among improved spring wheat varieties. This report provides producers in north central Montana the information necessary to select varieties best suited for their specific area and growing conditions.

Methods

Standard off-station spring wheat variety performance trials were conducted on chemical fallow or minimal tillage during 2017 in four northern Montana counties.

Dryland Spring Wheat Trials:

1. Cederberg Farm, Blaine County S13-T36N-R25E
2. Flansaas/Lumsden Farm, Phillips County S24-T35N-R29E
3. McKeever Farms, Chouteau County S21-T27N-R10E
4. Kammerzell Farm, Liberty County S11-T31N-R05E

All four spring wheat trials consisted of 23 entries and were seeded in replicated, 3-row, 22-foot plots on a 12-inch row spacing, utilizing a self-propelled cone seeder with Atom Jet paired row openers. All rows of each plot were trimmed to a harvest length of approximately 17 feet with a three-point rototiller. Plant height was measured from the soil surface to the top of the head, excluding awns, and percent sawfly cutting was visually estimated for each plot immediately prior to harvest. A ‘Wintersteiger Classic’ plot combine, funded in part by the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, was used to harvest each 3-row plot. Seed was cleaned prior to measuring plot weight for yield determination. Protein, test weight and moisture content were determined using a Foss Infratec 1241 near infrared analyzer. Falling number was determined using a Perten FN1700 according to the FGIS Directive 9180.38. Other variables specific to each individual trial are listed with the current year data tables.

Results

Please note that research trial yield results recorded under wheat stem sawfly pressure are likely much higher than a producer should expect. Small plot variety trials are managed to assess maximum yield potential and are harvested in such a way that all stems and heads are picked up by the combine, regardless of lodging or cutting due to sawfly. Pickup guards coupled with an extremely slow ground speed and an exceptionally low cutting height help researchers collect all heads in order to assess seed yield potential. If you are a producer in a wheat stem sawfly environment, although hollow stemmed varieties may be high yielding in research trials in your area, we strongly recommend against NARC MWBC-SW growing those hollow stemmed varieties. Please be aware that if you seed hollow stemmed varieties with sawfly present, you are only creating a breeding ground for future generations of sawfly in your area and not helping combat the pest population.

Cropping environments in 2017 started out with very good recharge soil moisture, and cooler than typical early spring temperatures followed by a season of high winds and drought conditions across north central Montana. Both Turner and Loring suffered from lack of precipitation throughout the year resulting in thin stands and reduced tillering. The Turner site was hit with an extreme windstorm for several days at the end of May which sandblasted and buried spring cereal seedlings under drifts of soil, increasing crop stress. Following a summer of drought, ultimately, the research site near Loring was taken out by a late season hail storm. The Loma location was seeded into chemical fallow ground that had been minimally tilled to eliminate potential weed issues. Loma started out the spring with good soil moisture, but crops were hit with drought and prolonged excessive temperatures midseason. The Chester area also started out with excellent recharge soil moisture, and timely spring precipitation resulted in a very good stand, producing a high number of tillers. However, prolonged heat and lack of moisture from flowering through grain fill, limited the seed yield and test weight of the spring cereals.

At Havre, annual growing season precipitation (9/1/16 through 8/31/17) was 9.48 inches, 2.58 inches lower than the average for all years since 1916. April 1 through July 31 precipitation was 2.41 inches, just 34 percent of the 102-year average. Heat units expressed as "Growing Degree Days" (GDD, base 50) from May through July totaled 1393, or 108 percent of the average for the last 67 years (1951-2017). The last spring frost was on May 19 and the first fall frost of 2017 was on September 25, resulting in 129 frost-free days. The minimum winter temperature was -27 degrees F on December 17, 2016. Overall, the 2016-2017 average crop year temperatures were higher than the long-term average. The April through July growing season saw an average daily temperature of 59 degrees F, 2.5 degrees F higher than historical temperatures. July and August average temperatures were nearly three degrees F higher than long-term averages with the high for 2017 recorded on July 15 at 101 degrees F. There were 30 days with temperatures 90 degrees F or above, with only one day over 100 degrees F.

Following a summer plagued by drought and high winds, the spring wheat trial yields at Turner averaged only 18 bu/ac (Table 1). Northern Seeds ‘NS Presser CLP’ and the Montana State University release ‘Vida’ were statistically the two top yielding entries at 25.4 and 25.1 bu/ac, respectively, with no other entries matching their production. Test weight of all spring wheat entries was very good for this site, averaging 60 lb/bu. Following a severe hailstorm in 2014, there were consecutive years of no sawfly cutting or infestation in the spring wheat trial at Turner, and only minimal cutting in 2017. Stand percent, plant height, yield, protein, falling number and sawfly cutting data for the 2017 Turner dryland spring wheat trial are summarized in Table 1.

Comparable averages are calculated using a standard check variety when not all entries are present in a specific trial for all years. Variety means are adjusted by multiplying the actual check mean by the ratio of the individual variety mean compared to the check mean for the same years as tested. All varieties are then directly comparable to each other when in the same nursery. A minimum of three years of data is necessary to be included in the comparable average calculation. Nine-year comparable averages (2008-2017) for spring wheat seed yield and test weight at Turner are summarized in Table 2, while nine-year comparable averages for sawfly cutting are summarized in Table 3.

The Loring spring wheat trial was also in a drought stricken area and was not harvested due to a late season hail storm. Nine-year comparable averages for spring wheat seed yield and test weight at Loring are summarized in Table 4, while nine-year comparable averages for sawfly cutting are summarized in Table 5.

In 2013, off-station spring wheat trials were re-established near Loma. The lack of timely precipitation following seeding, coupled with heat during flowering and seed set, limited spring wheat yields and test weights. Seed yields averaged 29.8 bu/ac (Table 6). Montana State University experimental line ‘MT1543’ was the highest yielding entry at 36 bu/ac while ‘Duclair’, ‘WB Gunnison’ and ‘LCS Pro’ were the only entries to yield statistically equal to MT1543. Sawfly damage in the small plot scenario was low again this year, averaging only 4.1 percent cutting. Stand percent, plant height, yield, test weight, protein, falling number and sawfly cutting data for the 2017 Loma dryland spring wheat trial are summarized in Table 6. Five-year comparable averages for spring wheat seed yield and test weight at Loma are summarized in Table 7, while five-year comparable averages for sawfly cutting are summarized in Table 8.

In 2014, off-station spring wheat trials were established near Chester. With early season moisture, great spring wheat establishment and prolific tillering set the trial up for high yield potential. However, mid-season drought and untimely high temperatures from flowering through seed set, had an adverse effect on spring wheat yields which averaged just over 29 bu/ac, while test weights averaged just under 56 lb/bu (Table 9). ‘Corbin’ was the highest yielding entry at over NARC MWBC-SW 35 bu/ac, with Duclair, ‘Vida’, WB Gunnison, ‘MT1525’ and MT1543 producing yields statistically equal to that of Corbin. Sawfly cutting in the small plot scenario was just over six percent in 2017. Stand percent, plant height, yield, test weight, protein, falling number and sawfly cutting data for the 2017 Chester dryland spring wheat trial are summarized in Table 9. Four-year comparable averages for spring wheat seed yield and test weight at Chester are summarized in Table 10, while four-year comparable averages for sawfly cutting are summarized in Table 11.

Summary

This work has been strongly supported by producers near each of the off-station locations, and by the Northern Agricultural Research Center Advisory Council. With budget and other resources allowing, it is planned to continue off-station cereal variety investigations in the five-county area. The Loring location is entering its twenty-third year, and the cooperator and area producer interest and support has been outstanding. The Turner location is only 32 miles from the Loring site, but growing conditions are quite different. Cooperator and producer support in the Big Flat area have been outstanding through the years with 2017 marking 34 years at the present Turner site. Various winter and spring cereal trials have been conducted with great producer support at the Chouteau County location, between Big Sandy and Loma, since 1998. The Chester location was reestablished in 2014 following a prolonged absence of uniform off-station spring cereal testing in Liberty County.

Funding Summary

Expenditure information for grant index 4W6471 is to be provided by Montana State University, Office of Sponsored Programs. There is no other grant support for this project.

MWBC CY2018 Grant Submission Plans: This project has been submitted for funding consideration in the next calendar year.

Recognition: This research would not have been possible without the assistance of the following summertime hourly employees: Marley Manoukian, Nicole Parsons and Emily Simonson.

Table 1. Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Cultivar Evaluation Nursery Grown Off-Station at the Leon Cederberg Farm, Turner. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2017. (Exp# 17-9951-SW)

¹ Volumetric yields are based on plot weights adjusted to uniform 13 % grain moisture and 60 lbs/bu as the standard test weight for wheat.

² Protein values are adjusted to 13 % grain moisture.

³ FN is the falling number value reported in seconds adjusted to 14 % flour moisture.

⁴ Sawfly rating is reported as the percentage of cut stems.

Bold italics indicate highest value within a column.

Bold indicates varieties with values equal to highest variety within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (p=0.05).

Management Information

Table 2. Nine-Year Yield and Test Weight Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Leon Cederberg Farm, Turner. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2008-2017. (Exp# 9951-SW)

Check variety is Fortuna.

¹ See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

² P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 Pending.

³ Only the most recent 5 years are shown, but summary calculations include all years noted.

⁴ No harvest in 2014 due to hail.

⁵ Percent of Fortuna yield or test weight for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁶ 9-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average yield or test weight of a given entry for years tested, y = average yield or test weight for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 9-Yr average yield or test weight for the check variety Fortuna.

⁷ Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 3. Nine-Year Sawfly Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Leon Cederberg Farm, Turner. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2008-2017. (Exp# 9951-SW)

Check variety is Fortuna.

¹ See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

² P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 Pending.

³ No harvest in 2014 due to hail.

⁴ Percent of Fortuna yield or test weight for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁵ 9-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average sawfly of a given entry for years tested, y = average sawfly for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 9-Yr average sawfly for the check variety Fortuna.

⁶ Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 4. Nine-Year Yield and Test Weight Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Flansaas/Lumsden Farm, Loring. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2008-2017. (Exp# 9955-SW)

Check variety is Fortuna.

¹ See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

² P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 Pending.

³ Only the most recent 5 years are shown, but summary calculations include all years noted.

⁴ No harvest in 2014 due to hail.

⁵ Percent of Fortuna yield or test weight for the same data years as those in  which a given entry was tested.

⁶ 9-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average yield or test  weight of a given entry for years tested, y = average yield or test weight for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 9-Yr average yield or test weight for the check variety Fortuna.

⁷ Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 5. Nine-Year Sawfly Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Flansaas/Lumsden Farm, Loring. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2008-2017. (Exp# 9955-SW)

Check variety is Fortuna.

¹ See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

² P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 Pending.

³ No harvest in 2017 due to hail.

⁴ Percent of Fortuna sawfly rating for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁵ 9-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average sawfly rating of a given entry for years tested, y = average saw fly rating for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 9-Yr average sawfly for the check variety Fortuna.

⁶ Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 6. Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Cultivar Evaluation Nursery Grown Off-Station at McKeever Farm & Seed, Inc., Loma. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2017. (Exp# 17-9957-SW)

¹ Volumetric yields are based on plot weights adjusted to uniform 13 % grain moisture and 60 lbs/bu as the standard test weight for wheat.

² Protein values are adjusted to 13 % grain moisture.

³FN is the falling number value reported in seconds adjusted to 14 % flour moisture.

⁴ Sawfly rating is reported as the percentage of cut stems.

Bold italics indicate highest value within a column.

Bold indicates varieties with values equal to highest variety within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (p=0.05).

Management Information (17-9957-SW)

Table 7. Five-Year Yield and Test Weight Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at McKeever Farm & Seed, Inc., Loma. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2013-2017. (Exp# 9957-SW)

Check variety is Fortuna.

¹See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions.

²P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 Pending.

³ Percent of Fortuna yield or test weight for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁴5-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z where x = average yield or test weight of a given entry for years tested, y = average yield or test  weight for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 5-Yr average yield or test weight for the check variety Fortuna.

⁵Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 8. Five-Year Sawfly Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at McKeever Farm & Seed, Inc., Loma. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2013-2017. (Exp# 9957-SW)

Check variety is Fortuna.

¹See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions. 

²P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 Pending.

³Percent of Fortuna cut for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁴5-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z  where x = average sawfly rating of a given entry for years tested, y = average sawfly rating for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 5-Yr average sawfly rating for the check variety Fortuna.

⁵Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 9. Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Cultivar Evaluation Nursery Grown Off-Station at the Kammerzell Farm, Chester. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2017. (Exp# 17-9953-SW)

¹ Volumetric yields are based on plot weights adjusted to uniform 13 % grain moisture and 60 lbs/bu as the standard test weight for wheat.

² Protein values are adjusted to 13 % grain moisture.

³ FN is the falling number value reported in seconds adjusted to 14 % flour moisture.

⁴ Sawfly rating is reported as the percentage of cut stems.

Bold italics indicate highest value within a column.

Bold indicates varieties with values equal to highest variety within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (p=0.05).

Management Information

Table 10. Four-Year Yield and Test Weight Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at the Kammerzell Farm, Chester. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2014-2017. (Exp# 9953-SW)

Check variety is Fortuna.

¹See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions. 

²P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 Pending.

³Percent of Fortuna cut for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁴ 4-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z  where x = average sawfly rating of a given entry for years tested, y = average sawfly rating for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 4-Yr average sawfly rating for the check variety Fortuna.

⁵Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.

Table 11. Four-Year Sawfly Summary on Selected Entries from Dryland Fallow Spring Wheat Variety Nurseries Grown Off-Station at Kammerzell Farm, Chester. Northern Agricultural Research Center. Havre, Montana. 2014-2017. (Exp# 9953-SW)

Check variety is Fortuna.

¹See MCES Bulletin 1093 or the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology website for evaluation of other important variety performance characteristics to include protein, quality, disease resistance, etc. before making cultivar selecton decisions. 

²P = Private Variety, + = Protected Variety, ++ = PVP Title 5 Pending.

³Percent of Fortuna cut for the same data years as those in which a given entry was tested.

⁴ 4-Yr Comparable Average = (x/y) * z  where x = average sawfly rating of a given entry for years tested, y = average sawfly rating for Fortuna for the same years, and z = 4-Yr average sawfly rating for the check variety Fortuna.

⁵Seeding to 14 days prior to harvest maturity.