–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth and Dr. Holly Schwarting
Wheat harvest is completed, or at least real close, across the State. So, it is time to start thinking volunteer wheat control. As wheat producers know, volunteer wheat is very persistent. Every time it rains or the fields are irrigated, another flush or crop of volunteer wheat germinates. Thus, control needs to be just as persistent. Volunteer wheat can be a harborage for most wheat pests, especially bird cherry-oat aphids, Brown wheat mites, English grain aphids, greenbugs, Hessian flies, wheat curl mites, and many of the more common pathogens. Season-long control is always best, but rarely practical. So, volunteer wheat eradication at least 2 weeks prior to planting is the next best management practice.