Due to late planting and wet weather, winter wheat in some areas of the state has not yet emerged.
In Ohio, we do not have first-hand experience with this situation. Further west (Oklahoma, Nebraska, and
Kansas), there have been reports of winter wheat emerging extremely late due to dry soil conditions.
A winter wheat planting date study in Kansas found a 43-59 percent reduction in grain yield when winter
wheat was planted in January and February compared to October. This yield reduction was associated with
reduced tillering (reduced number of heads) per plant, according to Laura Lindsey, OSU extension
agronomist.
Will the sprouted, but not yet emerged wheat vernalize? Yes. Anything that is sprouted will vernalize.
However, the root system will be minimal and heaving may be a problem. Additionally, the extremely wet
conditions, leaving fields saturated with water, may result in plant death.
What can we expect in Ohio? We are not exactly sure. We do know wheat yields are greater for earlier
planting (emergence) dates.
However, we also know wheat plants can compensate for poor stands with plumper kernels. The outcome will
likely depend on the weather for the remainder of the winter and spring.
What can be done? Wheat stands should be evaluated at Feekes 5 growth stage (leaf sheaths strongly
erect). The number of wheat stems (main stem + tillers) can be used to estimate wheat grain yield.
Approximately 30 stems per foot of row are needed for average grain yield.
Keep in mind, right now, there are no management strategies to improve your wheat stand. A winter
application of nitrogen fertilizer will not help.