By Aaron Beger, Nebraska Extension Livestock Educator
The combination of the unusually warm winter and dry conditions has resulted in wheat being further along in maturity than is typical for this time of year. That, together with freezing temperatures in the low 20s, has led to significant wheat damage and reduced expected yields. The first step in evaluating what to do with the damaged wheat is to work with crop insurance agents to understand your options and the implications of potentially grazing the crop or harvesting the wheat for hay or silage.
Most dryland acres of wheat are very drought-stressed and small in stature, with very little forage available. While grazing could be an option to utilize what little forage there is, there is also the potential risk of nitrate poisoning from drought-stressed wheat plants. Leaving the forage to protect the soil may be the best option agronomically. Irrigated wheat would likely have more growth, and using that forage as a feed resource may be an option to consider if significant injury has occurred.
Nebraska Extension has resources available on wheat freeze injury. The Extension circular “Freeze Injury to Nebraska Wheat” is a reference guide that outlines the different stages of wheat growth and the risk for damage based on temperatures. A May 1, Nebraska Extension CropWatch article, “Wheat Forage Options and Considerations,” discusses things producers should consider when harvesting wheat as forage. For producers harvesting wheat for hay, targeting the boot-to-early head stage of maturity is often optimal for both quantity and quality. Depending on the variety, wheat harvested for hay after that stage can have rough awns, which can irritate cattle's mouths. Because of the stressful conditions this crop has grown under, the wheat may be high in nitrates. Sampling plants at the expected harvest height and getting a nitrate test before cutting for hay will give an indication of nitrate risks.
Wheat can also be harvested for silage. When harvesting for silage, waiting until the grain is in the milk-to-soft-dough stage is optimal for harvesting the maximum amount of energy and protein per acre. Dr. Mary Drewnoski with Nebraska Extension has conducted research examining harvest conditions to identify target moisture levels to maintain forage quality during ensiling. At the 2022 Silage for Beef Cattle Conference, Drewnoski highlighted key things producers should consider when harvesting winter-hardy small grains for silage. The presentation is available at go.unl.edu/Small_Grain_Silage. Wheat can move from the boot to the soft dough stage of maturity quite quickly, making timely harvest at the optimum stage challenging. Weather conditions can both hasten maturity and hinder harvest from occurring at the desired time.
Currently, there is a shortage of forage in the Nebraska Panhandle. Harvesting freeze-damaged wheat for hay or silage can provide a much-needed feed resource for cattle producers. Understanding the options and risks associated with harvesting wheat for forage can help make the best decision for what to do with this crop.