In a year when drought has caused some soybean growers to
harvest later than normal and heavy rains prevented others from
getting into their fields for fall planting, many have been slow
to get winter wheat planted, according to an Ohio State
University Extension expert. Growers still have a chance for
good wheat yields if conditions are right, said Laura Lindsey,
an OSU Extension specialist in soybeans and small grains.
Although the best time to plant winter wheat is within 10 days
after the fly-free-safe date for Hessian flies, which in
northern Ohio this year was Sept. 22-30 and in southern Ohio was
Oct. 1-5, growers might find that there still could be time to
get seeds in the ground, she said. “Especially for growers in
southern Ohio,” Lindsey said. “Growers in northern Ohio have a
smaller window as it is getting late. “It all depends on the
weather. November is getting late, but if we have a mild enough
winter, you could still have a good yield.” The Hessian fly date
ensures that wheat growers are less