Winter Wheat Yield and Comments -- 2001

No-till, date-of-planting studies supported by the South Dakota Wheat Commission were conducted for four years at two locations in western South Dakota. Seven popular varieties were tested at each planting date. It was determined that planting date makes a greater difference in grain yield than does variety. The first two planting dates of September 15 and October 1 always had the highest yields. The latest planting date of November 1 always had the lowest average yield. The planting date of winter wheat in the fall has a significant effect on the spring growth and the yield of the crop the next season. The later-planted wheat has less fall growth, or in the case of the November planting, no growth. The lack of fall growth results in slower development of the crop in early spring and delays the grain-fill period until the hotter portion of the summer. The first two planting dates had more average fall growth and were able to start development earlier in the spring and make use of the moisture and cool growing conditions early in the summer.