This issue of the CORN Newsletter begins our weekly update of current crop situations and recommendations. Wheat Development Way Behind Last Year - Pat Lipps CORN Questions Cold weather during March has limited the spring regrowth of wheat throughout Ohio. According to our records the crops development is almost three weeks behind last year, but only about a week behind the 10-year average.
Many fields look rough when viewed at a distance because of the cold injury to leaf tips.
This injury is of no consequence to the wheat plant that has not begun regrowth. Wheat producers should not be overly concerned with the lack of growth up to now, but to achieve high yields the crop must begin to grow quickly soon. Cold soil temperatures have limited tiller development this spring. Plants have the opportunity to produce additional tillers until the day length reaches about 14-15 hours of light per day and temperatures get much warmer. Unfortunately, continued cold weather will delay the heading date of the crop and may limit the grain filling period resulting in less yield potential.