Pests, diseases impact wheat

    Wheat field observations have been taking place throughout northeast Colorado this spring from various on-farm testing sites. Observers have been looking for wheat pest production issues and have found various pests.
    Evidence of brown wheat mite was found at numerous locations. However, this dry weather wheat insect pest was controlled by the late-March precipitation received and is no longer an issue in the current production year. One field had Russian wheat aphid, but it was found below economic treatment levels. Cutworm damage was not observed at locations inspected.
    The wheat crop in Colorado is on average between Feekes growth stage 6-8 (jointing to second node). Much of the state has received some moisture, so the crop continues to look good, but additional moisture in some areas will be needed. The limited moisture has had a positive effect in that very few foliar fungal diseases have been reported to date in Colorado. However, stripe rust continues to be reported in additional counties in central Kansas and western Nebraska.

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