Kansas Wheat

As Kansas farmers pour over field trial data to select which varieties to plant this fall, new guidance is available for those considering adding or expanding fall grazing on wheat acres. K-State Research and Extension recently released the results of trials for 16 wheat varieties for performance in dual-purpose systems where wheat is grown for both forage and grain production. 

“Fall forage is an important trait in dual-purpose systems because it sets the potential beef production from wheat grazing in the fall, winter and early spring,” the publication stated. “Approximately 100 pounds of beef per acre can be produced for every 1,000 acres of wheat forage produced per acre.” Logically, the traits needed for a wheat variety to succeed in a dual-purpose system differ from programs focused solely on grain production. These performance trials evaluated commonly understood factors of fall grazing like the date of the first hollow stem as well as fall forage yield, plant height, grain yield and test weight.