Cold Planting Calls, Thin Wheat Stands, and Early Disease Alerts | Wheat Pete's Word, May 6, 2026

The episode opens with a blunt answer to the perennial ‘too cold to plant?’ question. Pete stresses that as long as the soil temperature is adequate, growers should seed regardless of chilly air, except when a forecast calls for a cold rain event that can cause imbibitional chilling. He cites personal experience planting corn in sub‑zero gear and still achieving healthy roots, and points out that southwestern Ontario’s May window generally meets the ‘fit soil’ criterion. The only real exception is a sudden drop below 5 °C combined with rain, which can damage emerging seedlings.

Next, the discussion shifts to nitrogen management and growth regulator timing. Listeners are urged to apply the second nitrogen split at growth stage 31 if the crop shows a lightening canopy, because the yield penalty for a one‑stage earlier application is negligible while lodging risk remains low. He recommends a stem‑count at growth stage 32 to decide on growth regulator use; under 60 stems per square foot usually eliminates the need. He also warns that mixing high‑rate nitrogen solutions with herbicides or growth regulators can scorch wheat, especially under cool, dormant conditions.

Finally, Pete alerts growers to early disease pressure and herbicide considerations. A single leaf with two rust lesions in Essex County triggers a reminder that T3 fungicide applications remain critical to curb leaf rust, stripe rust and fusarium, with later timing within the optimal window improving toxin reduction. He cautions against tank‑mixing micronutrient sprays like manganese when the crop looks healthy, as the element does not translocate to the flag leaf. For no‑till alfalfa after winter wheat, the priority is rapid volunteer wheat control—spreading straw, shallow vertical tillage, and timely glyphosate—to prevent competition and ensure successful pasture establishment.