WHEAT IN THE USA

Most of wheat in the United States is produced in the Great Plains area¹. A considerable amount of it is grown in other areas of the country. In fact, wheat is grown in every state of the country except in the deep South. Kansas, the leading state, produces approximately 18 per cent of the total wheat grown in the USA.

Wheat will grow on a wide range of soil types, but well-drained, medium- and fine-textured soils are generally considered to be best adapted for wheat production. Deep sandy soils usually do not produce satisfactory yields of high-quality wheat. These soils are better adapted to rye and some other crops.

To improve the soil for wheat one should apply both manure and commercial fertilizers when needed.

On dark-coloured soils containing a sufficient amount of nitrogen to produce a good growth of straw, superphosphate can be used to increase the yield of wheat when moisture is not a limiting factor in plant development. The rate of application may vary from 100 to 200 pounds per acre, depending upon the fertility of the soil. On light-coloured soils which are low in organic matter, a mixed fertilizer containing nitrogen will increase the rate of plant growth which may be important when the crop is to be used for winter or early-spring pasture.

The yield of wheat is greatly affected by the amount of moisture in the soil at the time the crop is seeded. In the wheat area of the USA the amount of rain that falls during the growing season is often not sufficient to produce a good yield of grain. It is essential, therefore, under such conditions that the soil be well supplied with moisture at the time the crop is seeded.

Fall plowing as soon after harvest as possible is generally recommended for both winter and spring wheat varieties. The fall-plowed land for spring wheat is usually left rough during the winter season to accumulate snow.

Depth of plowing seems to be less important than time of plowing. The depth necessary to obtain best results will vary with soil and climatic conditions but will usually be not more than 6 or 7 inches.

Since young spring wheat plants can withstand cold or freezing weather there is no danger from low temperatures when seeding is done early. Both wheats do best, having been sown early.

The best rate of seeding for the Eastern part of the Great Plains area is 60 to 90 pounds per acre for either spring or winter wheat. However, farther to the West, as moisture becomes a limiting factor, only about 30 to 45 pounds should be used. Where the land is irrigated, in the Western states, for example, 50 to 80 pounds are considered to be the best rate. These rates should be increased a little when wheat is seeded late because late seeding usually results in poor tillering².

Better results are known to be obtained by seeding wheat with the drill³. Broadcasting is no longer used in most countries. The drill provides a uniform distribution of seed. It also places the seed at a uniform depth and covers it with the soil.

Wheat may be harvested with the binder, the header, or the combine harvester. At present wheat is combined almost everywhere in the Plains area.

The moisture content of the grain should be not more than 14 per cent at the time of harvesting. If the grain is stored at a higher moisture content, it can be damaged by heat.

Wheat straw is usually used for bedding⁴. If the straw is not needed for this purpose, it should be returned to the land to increase the organic content of soil.

Notes and Commentary

¹ Great Plains area – район Великих Рівнин

² tillering – кущіння

³ drill – рядова сіялка

⁴ bedding – підстилка

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14