I am receiving numerous reports of wheat and barley fields
that were severely injured by cold temperatures. The symptoms are
completely or mostly blank/absent kernels on entire heads. What I had
seen prior to this week manifested as a few missing kernels on the head, or
scattered white heads that were obvious freeze injury. These newly
symptomatic fields either seem normal or just slightly ‘off’ from the road but
on investigation many heads are just absent kernels. In some cases, the
stems are beginning to turn brown and die. At this point I think this is
in a few local areas and not widespread. It was obviously a combination
of low temps and particular fields that were at a very susceptible stage.
i encourage you to reach out to your small grain growers and
have them assess fields. Any damage is much less near edges, roads or
lanes, so scout well out into fields. Those with severe damage should
contact their crop insurance adjuster ASAP to assess the yield potential in the
field.
Wade Thomason
Professor/Grains Specialist
Virginia Tech
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