Grainswest - Winter 2019

Winter 2019 Grains West 14 THE FARMGATE GREG STAMP KNOWS THAT A higher seeding rate generally produces a better crop. The southern Alberta seed grower tar- gets a particular plant-stand number for each crop and calculates a seeding rate that, after expected seed and seedling mortality losses are accounted for, should produce the desired number of plants. He calculates the seeding rate, by first using a thousand kernel weight formula (tkw), see sidebar which helps determine the number of seeds in a pound or, ultimate- ly, a bushel of seed. With wheat, for example, targeting a plant count of 30 to 35 plants per square foot, produces a much more even stand than does a lower rate. With a denser plant stand, the crop provides more competition against weeds and there is less tillering, so a greater portion of the plant is its primary-yield-producing main stem. The crop matures evenly, which is a benefit at harvest but also in-crop. If one plans to apply a fungicide, more of the crop is at the same growth stage and effectiveness is improved. Ultimately, a higher, more even-maturing plant stand should increase yield. “I generally push for higher seeding rates,” said Stamp, who handles sales for Stamp Seeds pedigreed seed farm at En- chant. “The target plant stand and seeding rate varies whether a crop is being grown under irrigation or dryland conditions.” His seeding practices don’t follow the old rule-of-thumb: a flat-rate seeding approach that 1.5 to 2.5 bushels of wheat seed will work. He uses the tkw measurement on each seed batch for all crops. Stamp Seeds produces good-quality, high-yielding seed varieties, but depend- ing on the seed batch, seeding rates may vary, said Stamp. With each seed batch sold, Stamp Seeds gives customers a pre-calculated tkw, as well as seeding rates based on seed size for targeted plant populations. “On dry land in southern Alberta, if you are targeting a plant stand of between 25 and 30 plants per square foot, the seeding rate can vary from 1.5 Themore themerrier Higher seeding rates deliver evenmaturity, Crop research conducted in recent years supports the message that higher seeding rates producer higher yields. Photo:TwitchyFingerPhotography fewer weeds, greater yields