1998-99 Grain Yields and Estimated Returns from Rye, Oat, Wheat, Triticale Varieties and Strains

by Jerry Baker

¹NF numbers are Noble Foundation experimental strains. Ex-R-98-1, Ex-R-98-2, and Ex-R-98-3 are experimental blends developed by Seed Resources, Inc. RSI 9027 and RSI 9054 are experimental blends developed by Resource Seeds, Inc. Seed of this experimental material is not commercially available.

²Grain values:

³Forage value:

approximately $2.20/cwt for oven-dry forage

assumptions:
1. stocker calves: average daily gain (ADG) = 2 lb.
2. consumption: 3% (.03) of body weight
3. average weight: 600 lb. per calf

calculations:
1. 600 lb. x .03 = 18 lb./head/day
2. 2,000 lb./ton ÷ 18 lb. = 111 animal days
3. 2 lb. ADG x 111 animal days = 222 lb. gain
4. $0.20 = custom rate for one pound of gain
     222 lb. x 0.20 = $44.40/ton = $2.20/cwt

⁴Forage yields and influencing factors are reported in NF-FOR-99-05.

¹NF numbers are Noble Foundation experimental strains. Ex-R-98-1, Ex-R-98-2, and Ex-R-98-3 are experimental blends developed by Seed Resources, Inc. RSI 9027 and RSI 9054 are experimental blends developed by Resource Seeds, Inc. Seed of this experimental material is not commercially available.

²Grain values:

³Forage value: approximately $2.20/cwt for oven-dry forage. Refer to Table 1 for assumptions and calculations.

⁴Forage yields and influencing factors are reported in NF-FOR-99-05.

Discussion
Small-grain varieties and strains were evaluated for both forage and grain yield at Ardmore and Burneyville, Oklahoma, during the 1998-99 season. Forage yields are reported in NF-FOR-99-05.

The trial included twenty varieties of rye, twenty-four of wheat, twelve of triticale, and eight of oats. The crop started slowly because fall planting, including proper soil tillage, application of fertilizers, and seedbed preparation, was delayed until late September by dry soils and the record-setting drought and heat. Above-normal temperatures through the fall and winter and ample rainfall, except in February, characterized the growing season. Temperatures and moisture during grain-filling were very good this spring.

Despite the presence of several leaf diseases during the year, grain yields were excellent at both locations. Leaf rust, barley yellow dwarf virus, and root rots were the most common diseases late in the season.

At Ardmore (Table 1), the overall grain yield average of 66.5 bushels per acre was the highest since the 1976-77 season. The favorable climatic conditions contributed to more growth than is typical for October-planted small grains. Many entries had reached hollow-stem or jointing stage by mid-February and, therefore, all forage clipping was terminated after February 17. Wheat and triticale yields were the best overall since the small-grain variety testing program was initiated in 1966-67. The ryes produced the most uniform yields in the test: 37.3 to 57.6 bushels per acre. Wheat and oat yields were the most variable. Wheat varieties were more susceptible to the leaf diseases and oats suffered more from chilling injury in late December and early January. Winter damage was most severe on ‘Chapman’ oat, which was reflected by its yield, the lowest of the oat varieties.

Overall grain production averaged 56.2 bushels per acre at Burneyville (Table 2). The overall yields for each small-grain crop were the best since testing was initiated at this location. Because of the rapid trend toward early jointing in the ryes, wheats, and triticales, no grain-plot forage was clipped after January 26. The wheat, oat, and triticale yields varied more than that of the ryes. The oats produced the most variable yields in the test: 50.3 to 99.8 bushels per acre. Lodging and grain shatter contributed to the lower yield of the ‘Harrison’ oat variety.

The estimated gross economic returns as shown in Tables 1 and 2 were calculated on the basis of values at the bottom of the tables (substitute your own values as necessary). The gross income estimates are shown to encourage the calculation of possible returns and profit from various varieties and management strategies.

Table 3 shows the grain yields of commercially available varieties that have been tested at both Ardmore and Burneyville over the last three growing seasons. Grain yields are taken after forage clipping, which is terminated at the initial sign of first hollow stem, or jointing. Because of temperatures and moisture availability during winter, planting dates, and varietal maturity, jointing occurrence varies yearly. The early-maturing varieties generally suffer the most grain yield reduction when clipping continues beyond jointing stage in the spring. In 1996-97 an April freeze caused various degrees of damage to all the small grains and overall yields were low. Damage to the wheats was most severe. The early-maturing varieties were more heavily damaged than the late-maturing ones. Notice that Longhorn and Tomahawk, two late-maturing varieties, were top performers at both locations. Maton, a rye variety with an average maturation rate, has been more dependable than the early variety, Oklon, over this three-year period. The Ozark oat variety exhibited stable and consistent yields in the 1996-97 and 1997-98 growing seasons but mediocre yields relative to others in the 1998-99 season.