As we finish up planting and turn our attention to the next task, T3 fungicide on winter wheat. There are five main things to keep in mind:
1. Timing is everything
You have to get out there and check what stage your wheat is at. At Day 0 or Zadoks 59 (head clearing the ligule) is the latest you want to start scouting your fields. In a perfect world, the optimum timing is early flowering stage, between Day +2 to Day +4.
The field will not be even throughout—when the anthers have extruded in the middle of the wheat head, on 75% of the heads in the field. If the forecast isn’t your friend, it is better to apply the fungicide at a slightly earlier stage than later.
2. It's all about the coverage
The goal is to cover the whole head of the plant. To do this you need water, 20 gals/ac with forward and backward tips.
3. Protect your grade
It is cheap insurance. Having your wheat downgraded to grade 3 because of fusarium damaged kernels to feed or sample can cost you anywhere from $0.81 to $2.72 per bushel. By spraying your wheat, it doesn’t mean you will not get fusarium but it does mean you have done everything you can to protect your yield.