CDC Kestrel, a shorter-statured winter wheat, is similar to Norstar in hardiness and is stronger strawed. AC Bellatrix has good bunt resistance, but may be a little weaker in straw strength and winter hardiness than desirable for the Parkland area. Winter survival in the Parkland and Parkland-Prairie transition area as a percentage of Musketeer fall rye. Research at the Field Crop Development Centre in Lacombe has indicated it is possible for winter wheat to combine early maturity with yields similar to CPS wheat. The risk of significant winter kill can be greatly reduced if planting occurs between the third week of August and the first ten days of September.
Winter wheat works well when direct seeding into standing stubble of barley silage or early canola.
The standing stubble aids in snow trapping, which reduces the risk of winter kill and the risk of soil erosion from wind or water. Winter hardiness decreases rapidly with deeper seeding. The seeder should have narrow openers with on-row packers to minimize stubble disturbance. In the spring, the winter wheat plants may look as if all the leaves and roots are dead. This appearance does not mean the plants cannot recover.