Crop Profile for Small Grain Production in Montana

Prepared: February, 2002

Small Grain Production in Montana - 1999

Crop	Acres Planted	Acres Harvested	Yield per acre Bushels	Total Bushels	Price/Bu.  Dollars	Value of production (000) in $	Value per acre in $	U.S. Ranking
Winter wheat	1,050	970	38	36,860	2.95	108,737	112	14
Spring Wheat	4,150	4,000	27	108,000	3.25	351,000	88	2
Durum Wheat	360,000	350,000	27	9,450	3.50	33,075	95	2
Barley	1,300	11,50	50	57,500	2.15	123,625	108	2
Oats	170,000	70,000	46	3,220	1.05	3,381	48	14

Montana Agricultural Regions

Cereal grain crops are among the most competitive crops grown, especially when seeded in narrow rows, at high seeding rates, in diverse crop rotations.  Unfortunately, many cereal crops grown in the Intermountain West are grown continuously, or without alternative crops in rotation.  The predictability of monoculture cereal production favors the development of annual grass weed problems such as wild oats, downy brome (cheatgrass) jointed goatgrass and green foxtail.  Problem broadleaf weed species include kochia, Russian thistle, wild buchwheat, mustard species and perennial weeds like Canada thistle and field bindweed

Weeds of Primary Concern in Small Grains

Wild oats (Avena fatua) is an annual grass and is primarily a weed in spring-seeded small grains. Wild oats flowers and produces seed from June to August. Seeds can be dormant at least 10 years. Dormancy is induced by burying the seed after deep tillage. Wild oats has become a major weed in the canola cropping system, because spring-seeded grains is predominant in the crop rotation and the long seed dormancy. Current control methods are chemical. Labelled compounds include trifluralin, sethoxydim, and quizalofop. Pre-plant incorporated trifluralin gives fair to good control and post-emergence treatment with sethoxydim and quizalofop-P-ethyl gives good to excellent control. In Montana and North Dakota experiments, pre-plant incorporated trifluralin gave excellent control of wild oats. Poast (sethoxydim) applied at third leaf stage of grasses provided excellent control of wild oats. However, the majority of studies have indicated that trifluralin give poor to fair control of wild oats.

Wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus) is an annual plant in the Polygonium family. Wild buckwheat becomes more prevalent when dicotyledons are introduced into the crop rotation; for example wheat - canola, or wheat - lentil, or wheat - flax. Buckwheat in canola can be considered far less competitive than wild oats. Trifluralin, although labelled for controlof some small-seeded broadleaf weeds, gives poor control of wild buckwheat. Pre-plant incorporated trifluralin provided fair to good control of wild buckwheat in Montana; however, this is the exception rather then the rule. With the exception of section 18 labels of clopyralid on canola, no registered herbicide controls wild buckwheat. Clopyralid gives fair to excellent control of wild buckwheat.

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a perennial weed in the Composite family. Plants are dioecious and the male and female flowers are on separate plants. Flowering occurs in July and August. Plants grow in patches and shoots emerge from deep and extensive horizontal roots. Cutting roots through sporadic tillage without additional chemical control measures increases patch and establishment and size. Canada thistle is a strong competitor, approximately 3 - 4 times more aggressive than wild oats. The herbicides currently labelled in canola do not control Canada thistle. The best control option may be treatment in the fall with glyphosate or clopryalid plus 2-4 D, prior to the season when canola is grown.

Green foxtail (Setaria faberii) is an annual grass. Flowering and seed production occurring in July to September. Data on competitive ability of green foxtail with canola is limited. However, once suppressed early in the season, green foxtail may not compete well with canola due to its smaller size. Currently labelled herbicides give excellent control of green foxtail.

Wild mustard (Brassica kaber) is an annual or winter annual plant of the Mustard family and is closely related to canola. Wild mustard spreads with seed, and can be a contaminant in canola seed. Wild mustard seed can remain dormant in the soil for many years.

Quackgrass (Agropyron repens) is a perennial grass reproducing by seeds or by rhizomes. Broken or cut rhizomes remain viable, therefore mechanical control is difficult. Quackgrass is about as competitive as wild oats. The labelled compounds, quizalofop gives excellent control, sethoxydim gives fair control of quackgrass, whereas trifluralin gives poor control.

Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) is an annual plant from the Amaranthaceae. It reproduces with seed and seeds can germinates any time when moisture is available . No-till systems may favor redroot pigweed occurrence in canola. Fair to good control of redroot pigweed can be achieved with trifluralin. Excellent control may occur with pre-plant incorporated trifluralin.

Russian thistle (Salsola kali) is an annual weed from the Goosefoot family. It reproduces with seed that germinates rapidly, even after small precipitation. Russian thistle is a problem especially in dryer areas and in no-till systems. Trifluralin gives fair to excellent control.

Common Lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) is an annual weed from the Goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae). Can be controlled effectively with trifluralin. If not controlled, canola seed yield can be reduced depending on weed density. This weed also can hamper harvest of canola.

Catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine) is an annual or winter annual weed fromthe Madder family (Rubiaceae). Cannot be controlled with existing registered herbicides. Seeds of catchweed bedstraw are about the same size as canola seed and are difficult to separate. Canola seed quality can be reduced greatly if it is contaminated with catchweed bedstraw.

Italian or annual ryegrass (Lolium sp.) is a winter annual grass weed. Annual ryegrass is a common weed of all winter crops in the Southeast. Trifluralin applied at planting will provide some control of ryegrass. A postemergence application of sethoxydim (Poast) plus crop oil concentrate or quizalofop-P-ethyl provides excellent control of annual ryegrass when applied as a foliar spray. Typically only a portion of fields are infested and require treatment.

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) and common chickweed (Stellaria media) are low growing, winter annual weeds. Both weeds germinate in the fall, and infestations can compete with seedling and rosette stage canola. Severe infestations will retard growth of canola seedlings. Trifluralin applied at planting provides good to excellent control of both weeds. Typically, henbit and chickweed only occur in fields that are not treated at planting with trifluralin.
 

Effective weed managment programs in cereal crops integrate mechanical, cultural, and if needed, chemical methods of control.

1. 1. Mechanical weed control

    a) Preplant seedbed tillage just prior to seeding ensures that crop plants are the first plants to emerge.
    b) Post harvest tillage prevents many weed species from producing seed or from disseminating seed
       widely after small grain harvest.
    c) Post emergence tillage can be used in small grains for weed control.  Use harrows and wait at least
       until the 3-leaf stage of the crop when it is firmly anchored.  Harrowing will control many weed species
       if it is done just when the nutrients in the weed seeds or cotyledons are approaching exhaustion,
       generally the weakest point in a plant's life cycle.
 
2. 2. Cultural control

      a) Alternate seeding date, either earlier or later than usual, will permit control of some weed species.
      b) Alternating fall-seeded with spring-seeded crops can reduce weed advantages.  Roatational crops
           such as beans or corn which are seeded late in the spring into warm soil permit control of many
           weed species that troublesome in small grain production

1. 3. Other weed managment practices

        a) Plant pertified seed to ensure it is nearly weed-seed free.
        b) Reduce weed seed populations in the soil
                1. encourage weed seed germination by using shallow cultivation or any other method that will
                    bring weed seed into moisture in the top half inch of soil.
                2. control weeds before they set seed.  Weeds that disburse seed into the seed bank in the soil
                    perpetuate the problem
         c) Eradicate patches of perennial weeds before they spread.  Use cultural, mechanical, and chemical
             methods as appropriate.
         d) Rotate crops
                1. if winter annual weeds such as downy brome, jointed goatgrass, or common rye are
                    troublesome, rotate to a spring- sown cereal crop.  Many of the winter annual broadleaf and
                    grass weeds will not be problem in a spring-sown crop
                2. in areas where culture of diversified cropping systems is possible, plant alternative crops such
                    as dry beans which are even more helpful than spring cereals in controlling certain winter
                    annual weed problems.
        e) Control weeds along the edges of small grain fields.
                1. keep weeds along the edges of fields and other idle areas from maturing and shedding seed.
                    Some of these weed seeds are likely to move into the field.  Any number of methods,
                    including mowing , herbicides, or cultivation can be effective
                2. establishment of a perennial grass on field edges is very effective in controlling most weeds.
                    After establishment, weed control is virtually cost-free.

1. 4. Chemical control

Chemical weed control in small grain production is no longer routine because of weed shifts. The practice of using just 2,4-D is no longer effective for many farms.  Today, the weed problems found in many small grain fields require tank mix combination herbicide treatments for adequate weed control.  Clarity and the sulfonylurea products such as Amber Ally, Harmony Extra and Express are frequently conbinded with 2,4-D in order to provide effective broad spectrum weed control.

Small grain producers in some areas have been faced with herbicide resistant weed species. Kochia, wild mustard, Russian thistle, green foxtail, wild oat and common chickweed are just a few of the weed species which have herbicide-resistant biotypes.

Weed shifts continue to occur due to heavy, continuous use of herbicides, and reductions in tillage as farmers attempt to comply with the farm program crop residue requirements. Field bindweed, Canada thistle, foxtail barley, quackgrass, and milkweed species are just a few of the perennial species which are spreading in some small grain production areas as tillage frequencey declines.  To combat these problems, small grain producers should identify their weed spectrum and carefully match their weed problems with the most effective herbicides. Correct application can only be made if the crop and weeds are carefully spaced to permit timely application.

Summary of Herbicides Used In Wheat and Barley
 

Source:     1999/2000 Weed Managment Handbook For Montana, Utah & Wyoming
                  Meister Weed Control Manual 2000

Pre = Pre plant/Pre emergent        Post = Post emergent
All herbicides listed are General Use unless noted otherwise

Herbicide	Manufacturer	Timing	Remarks
Buckle 10G  triallate + trifluralin	Monsanto	Pre	Granular selective herbicide to control wild oats and foxtail
FarGo triallate	Monsanto	Pre	Wild oats, Fall application of granules is most consistent
Achieve tralkoxydim	Zeneca	Post	Systemic herbicide for control of slective grasses.
Ally metsulfuron	Dupont	Post	Broadleaf weeds, Soil residual properties. Especially effective for winter annuals and problem weeds like kochia or wild buckwheat
Ally + 2,4-D LVE	Dupont	Post
Amber triasulfuron	Novartis	Post	Extended soil residual. Pennycress, tansy mustard, kochia.
Assert imazamethabenz	Cyanamid	Post	Wild oats, wild mustard,  good crop tolerance  Manage for resistance
Avenge (2AS) difenzoquat	Cyanamid	Post	Some winter wheat varieties are sensitive
Clarity (4S), Clarity SGF (2S) dicamba	BASF	Post	Broadleaf weeds, dicamba alone is less effective on mustards. Apply early for best crop tolerance
Clarity (4S), Clarity SGF (2S) dicamba +  Ally (60DF) metsulfuron or  Harmony Extra (75DF) thifensulfuron + tribenuron or  Amber trisulfuron	BASF Dupont Novartis	Post	See individual products for remarks
Bronate (4EC) bromoxynil + MCPA	Aventis (Rhone -Poulenc)	Post	Premix for several annual broadleaf weeds like blue mustard, pennycress.Good crop tolerance
Buctril bromoxynil	Aventis (Rhone -Poulenc)	Post	Contact action herbicide, good crop tolerance. Usually tank mixed with 2,4-D or MCPA to increase consistency
Canvas thifensulfuron +tribenuron +metsulfuron	Dupont	Post	Premix of Harmony, Express and Ally
Cheyenne X-tra fenoxaprop + MCPA +thifensulfuron +tribenuron	AgrEvo	Post	Twin pack
Curtail clopyralid + 2,4-D	Dow	Post	Good seasonal control of Canada thistle before flowering, Good crop tolerance
Dakota fenoxaprop + MCPA	AgrEvo	Post	Twin pack for control of green foxtail and certain broadleaf weeds in spring and winter wheat
Express (75DF) tribenuron (methyl)	Dupont	Post	Short residual SU herbicide, No crop rotation limitations. Good activity on kochia
Finesse (75DF) chlorsulfuron + metsulfuron	Dupont	Post	Extended soil activity. Good to excellent control of many broadleaf weeds
Harmony Extra (75DF) thifensulfuron + tribenuron	Dupont	Post	SU herbicide premix usually combined with other herbicides with differing modes of action. Good crop tolerance
Hoelon (3EC) diclofop methyl	AgrEvo	Post	Selective control of wild oats, foxtail and certain other annual grasses. RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE
Landmaster BW glyphosate + 2,4-D	Monsanto	Post
Peak (57 WDG) prosulfuron	Novartis	Post	Broadleaf weeds.  ALS inhibitor
Rave dicamba + triasulfuron	Novartis	Post	Premix with 2 modes of action. Broadleaf weeds
Roundup Ultra (3WS) Roundup Ultra RT (3WS) glyphosate	Monsanto	Post	Non-selective, translocated herbicide. No soil activity. Ammonium sulfate improves results expecially where water quality is a factor (hard water)
Sencor metribuzin	Dupont Bayer	Post	Effective for winter annual mustards. Suppresses winter annual bromes and other annual grasses
Stampede propanil	Rohm & Haas	Post	Labeled in MT for hard red spring wheat, barley and durum. Controls green and yellow foxtail, wild buckwheat, pigweed, and wild mustard when tank mixed with MCPA. Control decreases when weeds exceed growth stage
Starane fluroxypyr Starane + Sword fluroxypyr + MCPA ester  Starane + Salvo fluroxypyr + 2,4-D ester	Dow	Post	Wheat, durum and barley. Controls kochia, catchweed bedstraw but limited activity on pigweed, lambsquarter and other common weeds.
Stinger clopyralid	Dow	Post	Systemic. Especially effective for seasonal control of Canada thistle.
Tiller fenoxaprop + 2,4-D + MCPA	AgrEvo	Post	Wheat only. Three way pre-mix for foxtail and wild oats
Tordon 22K + 2,4-D picloram + 2,4-D	Dow	Post	Not for use on durum wheat. Tordon is a RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE
2,4-D (4EC) or  MCPA (4EC) or  Buctril  bromoxynil +  Clarity (4S) Clarity SFG (2S) dicamba	Many others  Aventis (Rhone -Poulenc)  BASF	Post	2,4-D is a translocated herbicide widely used for broadleaf weed control.  2,4-D ester forms more active during cool weather when treating early winter annual mustards.

 

Summary Table of Insecticides Used In Small Grains

Active Ingredient	Brand                                 Name	Type	Company	Barley	Oats	Rye	Wheat	Triticale
azinphos-methyl	Azinphos-M  Azinphos, 50WP  Guthion	RUP	Bayer Gowan			R
bacillus thuriengiensis	Dipel	GUP	Abbott  Thermo Trilogy  Mycogen Ecogen	B	O	R	W	T
carbaryl	Sevin	GUP	Aventis (Rhone-Poulenc)				W	T
carbofuran	Furadan	RUP	FMC	B	O		W
chlorpyrifos	Dursban  Lorsban	GUP	Dow Cheminova				W
dimethoate	Cygon  Dimethoate	GUP	Cheminova				W
disulfoton	Di-syston	RUP	Bayer	B			W
endosulfan	Thiodan  Phaser	GUP	FMC AgrEvo	B	O	R	W
imidicloprid	Gaucho	GUP	Bayer	B			W
lambda-cyhalothrin	Warrior	RUP	Zeneca				W	T
lindane	Lindane ST-40	RUP	Agsco	B		R	W
malathion	Malathion	GUP	Cythion	B	O	R	W
methomyl	Lannate	RUP	Dupont	B	O	R	W
methyl parathion	Penncap	RUP	Cheminova	B	O	R	W
nosema locustae	Semaspore Bait	GUP	M & R Durango	B	O	R	W	T
phorate	Thimet	RUP	Cynamid				W

 

 

Diseases

Bleached Heads in Wheat The plant symptoms of premature bleaching of wheat plants or individual heads has many causes.  These include hail, plant pathogens, and insects. The bleaching is caused by stress or death of the plant or tiller.

Fusarium crown rot, a fungal pathogen of cereals, can cause bleaching or early ripening of heads.  This disease is most prevalent during drought conditions.  A stem that is infected with crown rot will dry down and "whiten" earlier than healthy stems.  Also, the pith in the lower internodes may show brown discoloration.  Fusarium crown rot damage can be minimized but not completely controlled by use of a fungicide seed treatment.  Employment of management practices that reduce plant stress will also minimize damage by this disease.

The wheat stem maggot feeds above the plants' top node and also causes a bleaching of the heads.  The upper stem and head are bleached by the sun, and the lower plant regions show normal green coloration.  The head and upper stem can easily be pulled from the plant, and the end of the stem will be ragged as a result of the insects' feeding.  Infested stems do not produce grain.   Infestation levels of the wheat stem maggot are usually less than 1%.  There are no resistant varieties or control practices for this pest.

Wheat stem sawflies are sometimes believed to cause white heads or premature bleaching.  Mature larvae move down to a lower internode where they cut a notch around the inside stem perimeter.  Plants usually have lost their coloration by the time that stem notching occurs.  These weakened stems usually lodge.  Sawfly damage can be reduced by using solid stemmed wheat cultivars.  Dry Seed Decay  in Winter Wheat

The conditions surround winter wheat seeding time can be favorable for dry seed decay.  This condition is caused by the soil borne fungus called penicillium.  It develops when seed absorbs sufficient water to partially swell but not enough to complete the germination process.  Seed that remains in the ground for a couple weeks without emerging is very prone to this condition.  The result, poor to non-existent winter wheat stands.

Research at Montana State University has shown that when conditions favorable for dry seed decay are present, the addition imazalil, a fungicide seed treatment dramatically reduces the incidence of dry seed decay.  Other seed treatments are also effective but do not provide as high a level of protection.

If lost to winter damage, the producer has three options including the possibility of re-seeding to spring in the following year. There is concern that producers will seed a winter crop without utilizing the best management practices available which includes protecting against the dry seed decay.  Seeding conditions may be favorable for winter wheat seeding but those conditions can change and a properly seeded winter wheat can significantly out yield a spring crop if conditions improve.  The point to be made, if  planting winter wheat in the fall, do so with the intention of harvesting the following July and if conditions remain dry make sure to include the appropriate seed treatment. 

Consult the Montana Small Grain Seed Treatment Guide (Montguide 9608) for more detailed information on seed treatments in small grains.


Wheat Production in Montana

Montana mainly produces the following classes of wheat

• Hard Red Spring Wheat
• Hard Red Winter Wheat
• Durum


Classes of Wheat

Wheat is the principal U.S. cereal grain for export and domestic consumption. In terms of value, wheat is the fourth leading U.S. field crop and our leading export crop.

Wheat has two distinct growing seasons. Winter wheat, which normally accounts for 70 to 80 percent of U.S. production, is sown in the fall and harvested in summer; spring wheat is planted in the spring and harvested in late summer or early fall.

There are several hundred varieties of wheat produced in the United States, all of which fall into one of six recognized classes. (This is in marked contrast to the one or, at most, two wheat classes produced in other nations.) Where each class of wheat is grown depends largely upon rainfall, temperature, soil conditions and tradition. Generally speaking, wheat is more often grown in arid regions where soil quality is poor.

Wheat classes are determined not only by the time of year they are planted and harvested, but also by their hardness, color and the shape of their kernels. Each class of wheat has its own similar family characteristics, especially as related to milling and baking or other food use.

HARD RED WINTER -  The dominant class in U.S. exports and the largest class produced each year. Produced in the Great Plains states, a large interior area extending from the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains and from Canada to Mexico. Wide range of protein content, good milling and baking characteristics.Used to produce bread, rolls and, to a lesser extent, sweet goods and all

HARD RED SPRING - Contains the highest percentage of protein, making it an excellent bread wheat with superior milling and baking characteristics. Majority of crop is grown in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Exported largely to Central America, Japan, the Philippines and Russia.
Hard red spring wheat is grown in all areas of the state, with most of the acreage on dryland.  The largest concentration of acreage is found along the northern tier of counties, east of the Continental Divide. Less than two percent of the acreage is planted on irrigated land but this amount is increasing

DURUM -  The hardest of all U.S. wheat and consistently the class with the lowest export volume, accounting for less than 5 percent of all U.S. wheat exports. Grown in the same northern states as Hard Red Spring, although 70 to 80 percent of the U.S. annual production comes from North Dakota. Used to make semolina flour for pasta production. The largest importer is Algeria.  Durum wheat is grown on dryland, principally in Sheridan, Valley and McCone Counties in northeastern Montana and in Pondera county in central Montana.

SOFT WHITE WHEAT - Soft white wheat production is not large in Montana but is found in northwest Montana and in a few counties in southwest Montana. Used in much the same way as Soft Red Winter (for bakery products other than bread). Grown mainly in the Pacific Northwest and to a lesser extent in California, Michigan, Wisconsin and New York. Low protein, but high yielding. Produces flour for baking cakes, crackers, cookies, pastries, quick breads, muffins and snack foods. Exported to Far East Asian region.

Optimal seeding dates for winter wheat range from August 30 through November 1 and harvest dates run from July 19 to September 20.  For spring wheat planting dates range from April 5 to June 7 and harves dates run from July 26 to September 27. Seeding rates for winter wheat range from 70-100 lbs/acre on dryland, and from 100-130 lbs/acre on irrigated land. Seeding rates for spring wheat typically are 20% greater than for winter wheat.

Winter wheat is planted using either conservation tillage or conventional tillage. In conventional tillage, seedbed preparation includes fall plowing or chiseling the ground after harvest of the preceding crop. In a conservation tillage system, wheat is planted into the preceding crop residue. This system is especially useful for fall planted wheat in years when there is little available moisture. Reducing the number of tillage operations, combined with planting directly into crop residue conserves soil moisture for the following wheat crop. Most winter wheat receives a fertilizer application before planting and a second application in the spring. Seedbed preparation for spring wheat involves tilling the ground in April, applying fertilizer and cultivating/harrowing and planting. Wheat is harvested directly with a combine, and begins in late July and continues through September. Harvest of spring wheat usually begins in mid-August and continues through September.

Barley Production in Montana
 

BARLEY, common name for any cereal grass of the genus Hordeum. Native to Asia and Ethiopia, it is one of the most ancient of cultivated plants in the family Poaceae, or Gramineae (see GRASSES).  It is now the fourth largest grain crop, after wheat, rice, and corn. In the U.S. and Canada, as well as in the greater portion of Europe, barley is sown in the spring. Along the Mediterranean Sea and in parts of California and Arizona, it is sown in the fall. It is also grown as a winter annual in the southern U.S. Drought resistant and hardy, barley can be grown on marginal cropland; salt-resistant strains are being developed to increase its usefulness in coastal regions. Barley germinates at about the same temperature as wheat. The different cultivated varieties of barley belong to three distinct types: two-rowed barley, H. distichum; six-rowed barley, H. vulgare; and irregular barley, H. irregulare. The varieties grown in the U.S. are generally of the six-rowed type, in Europe the two-rowed type predominates, and the irregular type is found in Ethiopia.

The finest malting varieties are the six-rowed and the two-rowed types.

 Barley grain, hay, straw, and several by-products are used for feed. The grain is used for malt beverages (i.e. BEER) and in cooking. Like other cereals, barley contains a large proportion of carbohydrate (67 percent) and protein (12.8 percent).

Seeding Rates and Dates for Barley Grown in Montana (in Pounds/Acre)

Crop	District	Dryland	Irrigation	Seeding Date
Barley - Feed	1	40-60  11-17 seeds/ft2	45-60  13-17 seeds/ft2	April or as soon as seedbed can be prepared
Barley - Feed	2-6	45-60  13-17 seeds/ft2	80-96  22-27 seeds/ft2	April or as soon as seedbed can be prepared
Barley - Malting	2-6	35-45  10-13 seeds/ft2	80-96  22-27 seeds/ft2	April or as soon as seedbed can be prepared


 

Early seeding at seeding depths of 1 to 11/2 inches results in the highest grain yields. Spring barley requires a moderately fine but firm seedbed that promotes rapid, uniform germination. Maintaining a moderate amount of crop residue on the soil surface reduces erosion and preserves soil moisture. Preplant fertilizer and herbicide applications are made before final seedbed tillage operations.

Common management practices being used to achieve high barley yields include:

1. 1. Avoiding seeding barley on barley stubble. This reduces the negative effects of leaf and root diseases.
2. 2. Completing most of the tillage in the fall to minimize the tillage required for crop establishment in the spring.  This is critical to managing surface soil moisture and allows for shallow seeding (less than 2 inches deep).
3. 3. Using pedigreed seed, much higher than the 15 to 20 percent more common among the general farm population.
4. 4. Treating seed to minimize the impact of seeding rot, blight,and covered and loose smut.
5. 5. Sampling fields to evaluate soil nutrient status at least once every four years.
6. 6. Timing of fertilizer nitrogen banding equally divided between fall and spring, with most farmers indicating they prefer the fall application as a means of minimizing spring soil disturbance.

In a 19-experiment study between 1990 and 1998, John Harapiak, retired Chief Agronomist for Westco
Fertilizers Ltd. Calgary and his associates determined the incremental effect on barley yield of adding each of the macronutrients and a blend of micronutrients. The following list represents their findings of the contribution or
significance of each of the nutrients listed to overall barley yield. (Harapiak, J., R. Karamanos, and A. Johnston, 2000. High yielding barley production. In: Better Crops with Plant Food 84(1):14-15)

     Nitrogen          - 73% (portion of total response attributable to individual nutrient)
     Phosphorus      - 18%
     Potassium        - 3%
     Sulfur              - 3%
     Micronutrients - 3%

Oats

Oats are grown in Montana as an annual forage crop and as a feed grain crop for livestock.  Oats are frequently used in rations for dairy cattle, sheep, horses and for young growing animals.  Oats are also used in Montana as a partial substitute for corn.

Oat straw is used both as a roughage for wintering breeding stock or for younger animals and as bedding.

Only the spring-type oats are adapted to Montana’s harsh environment.  Winter-type oats will not survive the winters.

Over the past 10 years, oat acreage planted in Montana has ranged from 244,000 to 781,000 acres.  Montana's oats production for 1999 is estimated at 3.22 million bushels, nearly unchanged from 1998.

Planted acreage for 2000 is estimated at 170,000 acres, 30,000 acres higher than 1999.

Harvested acreage for 1999 was set at 70,000 acres, up 10,000 from 1998. Yields averaged 46.0 bushels per acre, 8 bushels below 1998 levels.

Oat production in Montana ranks 14th in the U.S.

Adaptation
Oats are grown throughout Montana on both dry and irrigated land.  Best yields are obtained in regions with cool temperatures and adequate moisture.  Hot, dry weather, when the crop is filling, frequently results in poorly filled kernels and low yield.  For good kernel development, oats need more growing season moisture than any other small grain.  Consequently, oats produce best when seeded on the heavier clay-loam soils.

Oat yields in excess of 100 bushels per acre frequently occur with timely irrigation and with recommended fertility treatments.

Soils
Silt and clay-loam soils having good moisture retention ability are best for oat production.  Sandy soils, coarse textured soils, or soils with a shallow surface are not desirable for oats.  Oats may be more tolerant of poorer soil conditions, and successful production requires management practices that conserve and store soil moisture.

The alluvial river valley soils in Montana are well adapted to oats.  Oats are not tolerant of salty, saline or alkali conditions and production should not be attempted when such conditions predominate.

Rotations
The alternate crop and fallow system on dryland assures growers of higher yields of both grain and forage.  In higher rainfall areas, such as foothills of the intermountain region, oats may follow wheat as in a fallow-wheat-oat rotation.

Oats are sometimes used as a companion crop when establishing legumes and grasses on irrigated land. The variety, Cayuse, is preferred for this purpose because of its shorter, stiff straw which has less tendency to lodge.  Oats are seldom a high-income crop on irrigated land but they can be substituted for any other cereal crop in a continuous crop production system.  As with any crop, high productivity is dependent upon a high fertility level.  Irrigate as needed to maintain adequate moisture in the root zone.  Two irrigations may be adequate on the fine textured soils with good water-holding capacity, while three irrigations – at tillering, boot and flowering to watery kernel stage – may be needed on the course-textured soils.  Apply enough water during the last irrigation to carry the crop through the filling stage

Planting

Seed Quality
Use clean seed, free of wild oats. Always clean seed to remove "inert" materials, separable weed seeds and some crop mixtures.  Seed free of inert material (trash) prevents plugging of the seed feed mechanism in the drill, resulting in a more uniform stand and the best possible yield.

 
Date and Rate of Seeding
Sow oats early for highest yields.  Plant oats prior to May 1 in all Montana agricultural areas.  The following table list seeding rates for Montana Agricultural areas.
 

SEEDING RATE IN POUNDS PER ACRE

Crop	District	Dryland	Irrigated	Seeding Date
Oats	1	50-60	80-100	April 20 - May 1
		(22-26 seeds/sq. ft)	(37-52 seeds/sq. ft)
Oats	2-6	40-60	80-100	April 10-May 30
		(21-26 seeds/sq. ft)	(37-52 seeds/sq. ft)

Equipment
Any type of oridnary drill used for either winter or spring grain is statisfactory to seed oats.  A drill equipped with packer wheels is best

Seeding Depth
Don not seed deeper than necessary to assure a stand -- 1 1/2 inches being the maximum.  Seeding deeper than 1 1/2 inches will reduce tillering and may lower the yield

Seed Treatment
Before sowing oats, treat the seed with a good fungicide.  Certain seed treatments prevent infection by smuts and certain other seed-borne fungi.  Consult the Montana Small Grain Seed Treatment Guide (Montguide 9608) for more detailed information.

Harvesting
Oats grown on dryland for grain can be harvested by direct combining.  Irrigated oat fields may have to be swathed to get uniform drying and to reduce shatter loss.  The grain must be dried to a moisture content of 14 percent or less in the header swath.  Oat fields to be direct combined should be harvested when they reach maturity to prevent loss from shatter by high winds.

It is a common practice to windrow fields of oats that become weedy prior to maturity.  A large number of green weeds will slow oat maturity, making combining difficult, and the oats may heat in storage.  Do not windrow oats when the ground surface is wet from recent rains, or if the weather is unsettled and rain is forecast within a day or two.

Oats for Hay
Oats harvested at the mid-dough stage make the best quality of hay.  In this stage, the nitrate level is usually low, but not always.  An abnormal growing season, plant growth interrupted by drought, high rates of nitrogen fertilizers applied or available nitrogen present in relation to available soil moisture may result in a high nitrate level in the oat stems and leaves.

If the nitrate level in a field is found to be above safe feeding levels, delay harvest until the crop has become more mature.  Even a forenoon of sunshine and favorable conditions for plant development may reduce the nitrate to a level safe for haying and feeding.  Montguide 9301 (Nitrate Poisoning in Forages) provides information that will help oat hay producers in formulating a ration blending another roughage with the high nitrate oat hay for safe feeding. If you have to go higher in blending, you may be wise to burn or destroy the oat hay. Do not consider it for bedding!

Storage
Use a tight bin that will prevent the entry of birds and rodents, but with good ventilation.  Clean walls and floors of the bin thoroughly to remove any old grain.  Spray walls and floor with a residual insecticide (methoxychlor or malathion).

Check stored grain frequently to detect any  "hot spots" roof leaks, insect damage, bird or rodent entry and even for theft.  Use numbered confetti in grain bins at harvest time to discourage grain theft.

Marketing
Seed-Oats of known variety, free of wild oats, perennial weeds, other common weed pests and crop mixture usually are in demand each spring.  High quality oats are in high demand by the race horse industry.

Most oats are grown for farm or ranch use or for the local feed grain market.  Montana oat producers are generally too far removed from the market for human food consumption and cannot compete favorably because of transportation costs. Livestock numbers, wintering conditions, roughage and other feed grain supplies and prices all influence the oat market.

Herbicides Used in Oat Production

Clarity (dicamba) 4S  - For control of annual broadleaf weeds and suppression of
    certain perennial weeds.
Clarity (dicamba) SGF (2S) - For control of annual broadleaf weeds and suppression
    of certain perennial weeds.
Clarity (4S) + MCPA (4EC) - For control of annual broadleaf weeds and suppression
    of certain perennial weeds.
Bronate (bromoxynil) 4EC + MCPA - In Montana, Bronate can be tank-mixed
    with Peak or Amber.
Buctril (bromoxynil) 2EC
Harmony Extra (thifensulfuron + tribenuron) (75DF) - Do not apply to "Ogle", "Porter"
    or "Premier" oat varieties or injury can occur.
Peak (prosulfuron) (57 WDG) - For control of wild buckwheat, cocklebur, tarweed,
    flix weed, prickly lettuce, mallow, mayweed, mustards, field pennycress, redroot
    pigweed, purslane, ragweed, shepherds purse, sunflower, Russian thistle, wild garlic
Starane (fluoxypyr) - effectively controls kochia, catchweed bedstraw, and volunteer
    potatoes. Limited activity on pigweeed, lambsquarters and other common weeds.
Starane (fluoxypr) + Sword (MCPA ester) - Wider spectrum than Starane alone.
Tordon 22K (picloram) 2EC + 2,4-D amine or MCPA (4EC) - For control of wild
    buckwheat and other broadleaf weeds and for suppression of Canada thistle.
2,4-D amine (4EC) or MCPA amine (4EC) - For general broadleaf control. MCPA is
    less damaging to oats than 2,4-D

 

 

References

1. Cereal Experts (Aventis)- http://www.cerealexperts.com/m00.html
2. Montana Wheat and Barley Committee -  http://wbc.agr.state.mt.us/
   Montana Wheat and Barley Committee 2000 Annual Report - http://www.sarc.montana.edu/mwbc/2000/
3. Montana Grower Info -  http://agadsrv.msu.montana.edu/Plantsciences/MTgrower.htm
4. Barley Pages -  http://hordeum.msu.montana.edu/
5. Ag News and Features  http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/ag/ag_idx.html
6. Montana Crop Health Report -  http://scarab.msu.montana.edu/mchr/Mchr8toc.htm
7. Montana Ag Publications -  http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/ag.html
8. High Plains Integrated Pest Management Guide - http://Scarab.msu.montana.edu/HPIPM/Contents.htm