As we finish up planting and turn our attention to the next task, T3 fungicide on winter wheat. There are five main things to keep in mind:
1. Timing is everything
You have to get out there and check what stage your wheat is at. At Day 0 or Zadoks 59 (head clearing the ligule) is the latest you want to start scouting your fields. In a perfect world, the optimum timing is early flowering stage, between Day +2 to Day +4.
The field will not be even throughout—when the anthers have extruded in the middle of the wheat head, on 75% of the heads in the field. If the forecast isn’t your friend, it is better to apply the fungicide at a slightly earlier stage than later.
2. It's all about the coverage
The goal is to cover the whole head of the plant. To do this you need water, 20 gals/ac with forward and backward tips.
3. Protect your grade
It is cheap insurance. Having your wheat downgraded to grade 3 because of fusarium damaged kernels to feed or sample can cost you anywhere from $0.81 to $2.72 per bushel. By spraying your wheat, it doesn’t mean you will not get fusarium but it does mean you have done everything you can to protect your yield.
Click here to see more...