As Kansas farmers review field trial data to choose wheat varieties for fall planting, new guidance is available for those adding or expanding fall grazing on wheat acres. K-State Research and Extension recently released results for 16 wheat varieties tested in dual-purpose systems, where wheat is grown for both forage and grain, as part of its Wheat Rx series.

These trials, conducted at the South Central Experiment Field near Hutchinson, evaluated key factors like the date of the first hollow stem, fall forage yield, plant height, grain yield, and test weight. Dual-purpose trials used earlier planting dates, higher seeding rates, and increased nitrogen applications compared to grain-only trials.

The first trial assessed forage yield and the date of the first hollow stem, crucial for determining when to stop grazing to protect grain yield. Forage yields varied significantly among varieties, with high-yielding options like KS Ahearn and KS Providence producing up to 1,969 pounds of dry matter per acre. The second trial measured the impact of simulated grazing on grain yields, revealing penalties ranging from 6.9 to 19.7 bushels per acre across varieties. Weather conditions also influenced final yields and test weights.