Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Origin:

Use:  Grazing, silage

Plant Description

  • General:  Bunchgrass that is approximately 3' tall at maturity
  • Life Span:  Annual
  • Growth Form:  Upright

Management

  • Seeding Rate:  2-2.5 bu/A (grazing)
  • Seedling Vigor:  Excellent
  • Planting Date:  Grazing:  October 1-15 for Piedmont and Coastal Plain; September 1-15 for Limestone Valley
  • Planting Depth:  1-1 1/2"
  • Grazing Tolerance:  Good
  • Desirable pH:  More acid tolerant than oats but less tolerant than rye
  • Drainage Requirements:  Poor tolerance to poor drainage
  • Soil Texture:
  • Drought Tolerance:  Fair
  • Season of Use:  Late fall and early-mid spring

General:

  • Wheat is more cold-hardy than oats, but less than rye
  • Maturity is later than rye, similar to oats and shorter than annual ryegrass
  • Armyworms can occasionally harm early fall plantings


ID Features:

  • Wheat has small hairy auricles on the leaf collar. There are no hairs on leaf sheath.