Dr. Erick Larson, agronomist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said many wheat growers took advantage of favorable planting conditions last fall despite the poor market forecast. The wheat grew for a longer period of time because of last fall's warm temperatures. As a result, wheat planted early was more susceptible to freeze damage in late December and January. When these plants began growing again a month later, their weakened stems couldn't support their weight and they collapsed on the ground. Larson said some fields experienced lodging problems in up to 20 percent of the plants.
Lodging occurs when freeze-damaged stems weaken and bend the plant toward the ground.
It's too early to predict any yield losses. John Coccaro, Sharkey County Extension agent, said some low-lying fields are showing signs of stressing and leaching fertilizer from the recent rains. Washington County agent Jon Ruscoe said saturated soils have been the biggest challenge so far. Because of the lengthy planting season, the crop is in a wide variety of growth stages. Most of the crop appears on target for an average harvest.