Assess Those Winter Wheat Stands

Trying to make the decision on whether to keep that wheat stand or replant is never easy. Stands are rarely uniform, with holes and gaps of various sizes which is related entirely to drainage patterns in the field. So as you walk those fields and wonder, here are some things to look for.

Plant Stands

While stands are rarely uniform, poor fields often have less than perfect stands even in the better areas. The table below (from Ridgetown College) can be used to help assess the yield potential of your stand. Columns 3 and 4 give yield estimates for fields with different yield potentials. For late planted wheat or heavier soil types, use column 4 (75 bu/ac). Fields that would normally have excellent yield potential should use column 3 (90 bu/ac). (NOTE: If you are assessing a volunteer wheat stand, take into consideration the yield potential is often 35-40 bu/ac.) Refer to for more info on volunteer wheat.

* Late planted wheat or heavy soil types
** Field with traditional high yield potential

Plant Health

While stand counts are a good place to start, plant health is just as important. 5 or 6 healthy plants are likely better than 10 poor plants. If assessing heaved plants, look for new white root growth, the amount of this growth, and if these new roots are in the soil or still above ground. Plants with good root growth are healthy and will do well. Plants with little or no root growth will not make it, and should not be counted.

Figure 1. Heaved Wheat Plants Show New Leaves but no New Roots

Figure 2. White Root Growth indicates Healthy Plants

Tillering is another good measure of plant health. Look for tillers coming from the crown of the plant (plants with less than three leaves will not have started tillering yet). Evidence of tillers is another sign of health, while lack of tillers will reduce the yield potential of those plants.

Figure 3. Tillering of Healthy Weed Plants

Holes and gaps

Holes are by far the hardest thing to assess in these fields. It takes a tremendous amount of walking to get an accurate idea of the amount of the field affected. Count paces as you walk across the field. For each 100 paces, record the number of paces with no or very poor wheat. After a "W" or "Z" walking pattern, you can use these numbers to calculate the percentage of the field gone. DO NOT just stand at the side of the field and try to assess the stand. Invariably, your eyes will be drawn to the poor spots, and you will estimate far too high.

Aerial Assessments

One easy way to assess the holes and gaps in the field is from the air. A quick flight over the field can tell you far more than hours of walking. The pictures below will give you an idea of the benefit of an aerial view. Talk to your neighbour the pilot!!

Figure 1. 4.5% Damaged Areas

Figure2. 11.5% Damaged Areas

Figure 3. 20.4 Damaged Areas

Other tips

Always look at your wheat stands ACROSS the rows. Stands of 2 or 3 plants per foot of row will look like a row of wheat if you look down the rows, but virtually disappear if you look across the rows. And have patience, as much as possible. The closer to corn planting time you can make the decision, the better chance you will have to make the best call.

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