Farms.com Home   News

White Heads

By Jochum Wiersma
 
Is not the reincarnation of the Detroit rock due the White Stripes but a phenomenon that often can be seen this time of year in wheat fields are they are starting to ripen.  The causes of these premature ripened heads are varied and a diagnostic key can be found here.
 
People of commented that especially the wheat stem maggot is more prevalent this year and my travels to the different field trials across the state confirm this. The seemingly high numbers of wheat stem maggot may be related to the mild winter conditions.  Several insect pests that overwinter in Minnesota have had comparatively high and early populations this year.
 
Incidence will generally be worse along field edges and taper off as you walk further into the field.
 

Trending Video

Sorting Sheep Breeding Groups Comes To A Blunt End!

Video: When Hay is Your Only Mulch Option + The Dogma Free Garden is a Happy Garden

We kicked things off by sorting our Dorset and Suffolk breeding groups and putting rams in with the ewes. Breeding season is always exciting, and this is the start of another chapter for our flock. With two groups sorted, we still have two more to finish, which we’ll share in the next episode.