The dry cold air, lack of snow cover and high winds are creating harsh conditions for Nebraska’s dormant winter wheat crop.

Wheat fields in the northern Panhandle are experiencing up to 40 percent erosion in areas,  exposing plant crowns to the elements and making them vulnerable to winter kill, according to a report released Wednesday by the Nebraska Wheat Board. Conventional and irrigated wheat fields are most affected; no-till fields are in better shape.

“This is a little unexpected. Normally we have some snow cover, which provides an insulating layer for wheat plants,” wheat board director Royce Schaneman said in an interview.

Farmers have resorted to using crop residue and tillage application to reduce erosion, the report says.

Southern Panhandle producers reported less severe erosion, but the lack of moisture and snow cover remains a concern.

Farmers in the southwest corner of the state, Nebraska’s heaviest wheat-producing area, report the crop in their area is below average. Lack of rainfall has left the soil dry, and, without moisture, producers expect 25 percent to 35 percent winter kill.

The full scope of the erosion and drought stress will not be known until harvest, which takes place in June and July, Schaneman said.

Nebraska farmers planted 1.5 million acres of wheat for harvest in 2014, up from 1.48 million acres the previous year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Source - http://journalstar.com/

The dry cold air, lack of snow cover and high winds are creating harsh conditions for Nebraska’s dormant winter wheat crop. Wheat fields in the northern Panhandle are experiencing up to 40 percent erosion in areas, exposing plant crowns to the elements and making them vulnerable to winter kill. Conventional and irrigated wheat fields are most affected; no-till fields are in better shape. Farmers have resorted to using crop residue and tillage application to reduce erosion. Southern Panhandle producers reported less severe erosion, but the lack of moisture and snow cover remains a concern.

USA - Wind, cold, lack of snow put Nebraska wheat in danger