Kansas Wheat Farmers Reminded of Wheat Free Window to Prevent Wheat Streak Mosaic
Sep 3
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The contents of this blog are from an interview with Jeanne Falk Jones, KSU multi-county agent.
As Kansas wheat farmers prepare for the upcoming planting season, experts are reminding growers about the importance of observing the wheat free window. This management practice is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of wheat streak mosaic virus, a costly disease spread by the wheat curl mite.
Once wheat is infected with wheat streak mosaic, there is no cure—making prevention essential.
“Wheat streak mosaic is a virus, and so there’s nothing that can be done once the wheat is infected,” explained Jeanne Falk Jones, K-State Multicounty Specialist. “Prevention is worth a pound of cure on this because we want to prevent that infection from happening. The way to do that is to decrease our mite populations.”
Why the Wheat Free Window Matters
For many years, farmers were advised to maintain a two-week wheat free period between harvest and planting to control volunteer wheat. However, new research suggests that a month-long wheat free window is more effective.
By extending the break, farmers can prevent wheat curl mites from simply moving from one nearby field to another. This regional approach reduces mite populations across larger areas, improving the chances of protecting Kansas wheat fields from serious disease outbreaks.
“We want to give ourselves a wide enough window so that we’re not just shifting that mite population from one field to the next,” Falk Jones said. “By extending the window, we have a better chance at control on a regional basis versus just field to field.”
Staggered Planting Dates Across Kansas
The wheat free window isn’t uniform across the state. Instead, it aligns with recommended wheat planting dates for each region:
Northwest Kansas: August 10 – September 10 (planting begins September 10)
Hays area: August 15 – September 15 (planting begins September 15)
Other Kansas regions follow similar staggered dates, based on local agronomic conditions.
This staggered timing ensures that each region gets maximum protection against the wheat curl mite while still aligning with the best planting practices.
Protecting Next Year’s Wheat Crop
Observing the wheat free window is a small step that can make a big difference for Kansas wheat yields. By controlling volunteer wheat and reducing mite populations, farmers can protect their fields from wheat streak mosaic and set themselves up for a healthier harvest next year.
To know when your are is in the wheat free window, check out https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/wheat-streat-mosaic-management-pay-attention-to-wheat-free-windows-650-1
