The 2013 Wheat Field Guide is now available after a few years of planning, said Corey Gerber, director of Purdue's Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center.
"It's a handy, in-field reference that can help producers and crop professionals manage wheat," he said.
The guide covers variety selection, growth stages, insects, diseases, weeds, soil nutrients, planting decisions and harvest.
"It gives farmers the ability to have it in their back pocket or toss it in the truck," said Shaun Casteel, Purdue Extension agronomist who specializes in soybeans and small grains. "The guide is durable and has good color and pictures. It's very user-friendly, and there's a lot of information packed into a small package."
Casteel said wheat farmers likely will face a later harvest this year due to prolonged cold temperatures into March and April that delayed the break of dormancy and progression of plant development.
The problem is the opposite of what producers saw last year during record-setting drought. The guide applies to either scenario because it illustrates all growth stages, offers specific herbicide and fungicide application information, and covers potential grain moisture at harvest time.
Copies of the guide are available at Purdue Extension's The Education Store (search ID-448). Individual copies are $5 each, and boxes of 25 can be purchased for $112.50 - a 10 per cent discount. Custom covers can be printed to feature group or company logos by contacting Kevin Smith at kevlsmith@purdue.edu. The deadline to order custom covers is June 14.
