Frost Seeding Cereals Bumps Yield

Why Frost Seeding?

The number one reason you should consider frost seeding cereals is more yield! Farmer experience with frost seeding has been 15 - 25% greater yields. Some have even said that they have had up to 50% more yield! In 2003, the frost seeded spring wheat yield advantage was 4-8 bushels per acre (bu/ac).

There are many other potential benefits to frost seeding spring cereals. These include spreading out the workload, reducing heat and drought stress, and reducing the risk of diseases such as fusarium head blight.

On-Farm Trials

Cereal growers have known that the earlier you can seed spring cereals, the better the yield! Earlier seeding produces more and stronger plant tillers, which results in more heads per square foot. More and stronger heads per square foot usually means more yield. Table 1 summarizes on-farm comparisons of frost seeding versus dry soil seeding of spring wheat from farmers across Ontario.

Research

Dr. Duane Falk and Dr. Bill Deen from the University of Guelph, frost-seeded spring wheat, barley and oat varieties in 2003. Their conclusions from the 1^st year of this trial are that frost seeding worked for spring wheat, there was no real difference with barley, and the differences in yield was not consistent with oats. There was some stand reduction with frost seeding (Table 3). There was more tillering and the plants were slightly taller. Heading and maturity were earlier with the frost seeding. Protein was slightly lower with frost seeding, but still achieved the maximum 12.5% protein premium (Table 2). Dr. Falk noted that, there were more ‘windows of opportunity’ to frost seed than they expected.

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Dr.s Duane Falk & Bill Dean , Elora - University of Guelph

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