Wheat Quality Council

Illinois Soft Winter Wheat Tour 2002

Prepared by J. Quinton in collaboration with the Illinois Wheat Association, May 22nd, 2002

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

River Valley Region (ILL/SW Ind)

60.5

6-yr avg

59.7

The foundation for wheat yield -- head population -- is little changed from a year ago and in line with the 6-yr average for this annual tour. That is the objective information gathered every year. Subjectively, we make notes on disease pressures and other stresses as well as impressions of head size. This year we think head sizes are perhaps a bit smaller than the previous year. Additionally, it was remembered that the 2001 Illinois and SW Indiana crop yielded very high grain weights, but the outlook isn’t so bright this year for that yield factor. Saturated soils have leached nutrients and hampered root development during the past 30 days.

The Tour does not look at the entire wheat crop in any soft wheat states because acreage is widely dispersed. To make the most of limited time and resources, only counties with the highest concentrations of wheat acres are sampled. In Illinois we sample about 20 counties and in southwest Indiana 2 to 4 counties. This year we saw better wheat in the southwest counties of Illinois, weaker in the southeast.

Development appears to be a little later than normal this year. Almost none of the wheat scouted had reached the milk stage yet. The start of harvest is apt to be June 20^th -- almost a week later than usual -- in the counties along the southern margins of the tour area.. Unhappily, the bulk of the Illinois wheat acreage is still quite vulnerable to disease outbreaks if wet weather returns this weekend. We did find enough Head Scab in fields to confirm that the fungus spores are present and active, but only light to moderate infestations were found today. If that’s all there is, there may be no threat to grain quality this season from that old nemesis.

I jokingly pointed out to tour participants that I’m seeing a new wheat disease this year. I’m calling it “doubtaboutdemand.” It doesn’t attack grain quality, but it does affect production volume. It immobilizes grain drills during the fall planting season, leaving them parked in sheds thereby reducing seeded acreage. We saw more of that this year. It’s closely related to another wheat disease I’m calling ”wheat grower’s remorse”...

pct rated good to excellent in Illinois
Wk #	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
17	25	94	90	94	78	69	34	87	44	94	7	72	81	79	74	74	70
18	26	95	86	91	80	70	38	79	44	91	12	73	77	79	74	66	67
19	34	95	78	91	79	70	41	83	50	88	12	74	73	80	71	70	58
20	28	83	69	93	68	76	43	82	57	78	13	74	78	76	70	61	45
21	34	85	74	94	67	55	44	83	61	60	15	76	75	81	71	60
22	40	76	58	93	55	30	35	73	59	49	17	72	60	77	70	54
23	35	79	40	92	38	14	30	61	58	29	17	72	57	79	68	53
24	33	84	46	94	25	7	31	58	60	29	17	72	46	72	64	60
25	42	59	56	94	29	5	34	61	69	36	19	64	37	72	64	65

The network of crop observers around the state are alert. Generally, when they don’t like what they’re seeing or hearing about the crop, that’s not good. There have been years when they’ve been slow to comprehend a crop problem, as in 1990 and 1991 (Head Scab), but they eventually get it right. And when they like what they see, the final yield is usually pretty good. The 2002 wheat crop in Illinois has been declining in the collective opinion of these folks. We concur though we’re not anticipating any disasters.

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