How to increase wheat quality

Achieving the required quality targets for wheat can greatly affect the value of the harvested crop. Often the quality targets depend on the end user’s required specification e.g. livestock feed, milling for bread or biscuit flour or grain distilling. The main traits to consider are grain protein, specific weight, Hagberg falling number and starch content.

Macronutrients impact on grain quality

Crop nutrition can have a great impact on the quality of the harvested grain and fertiliser applications should be planned to achieve the required quality targets. To achieve the highest value for the grain the grower often has to meet a combination of specifications.

Nitrogen and potassium are the most influential of the macronutrients on grain quality. Nitrogen is important for protein or starch content whilst potassium maintains the crop structure to prevent lodging that reduces Hagberg falling numbers and specific weight.

Micronutrients role in influencing grain quality

The secondary nutrients sulphur and magnesium influence grain protein and specific weight respectively, whilst the micronutrient zinc also helps nitrogen metabolism that improves grain protein concentrations.

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How to increase wheat protein quantity and quality

How to increase wheat protein content and quality

Nitrogen and sulphur both influence grain protein content and quality. Nitrogen should be applied when the plant can still incorporate the nitrogen into its grain, and sulphur levels need to be adequate to ensure this does not limit nitrogen use.
How to increase Hagberg falling number in wheat

How to increase Hagberg falling number in wheat

The Hagberg falling number is used to determine suitability of wheat for bread making, with higher numbers preferred by millers. Effective crop nutrition management particularly of nitrogen and potassium can help increase the Hagberg falling numbers.
How to increase wheat grain specific weight

How to increase wheat grain specific weight

Grain specific weight is a measure of the density of the grain. Specific weight is predominantly a genetic trait of varieties, but poor crop nutrition and application can reduce specific weight.
How to increase wheat starch content for bioethanol

How to increase wheat starch content for bioethanol

When wheat is destined for biofuel production, the yield of ethanol is a key component to consider. Varietal choice is an important consideration with those that are soft wheat types tending to give higher ethanol yields.
Identify and diagnose wheat nutrient deficiencies

Identify and diagnose wheat nutrient deficiencies

Identify and diagnose if your wheat is suffering from nutrient deficiencies and learn more about the symptoms and causes and how to control or correct the deficiency

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Recommended Yara fertilisers for wheat

YaraBela AXAN
27% N + 9% SO3 - Granular uniform compound nitrate based nitrogen and sulphur fertiliser for use on all crops.
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How correct nutrient management can affect your wheat

Managing late drilled wheat crops
Managing late drilled wheat crops
Where drilling of winter wheat has been delayed, the crop nutrition strategy should be adapted to help recover the lost yield potential
Agronomy Advice - Do you really need straight nitrogen
Do you really need straight nitrogen
Before ordering your straight nitrogen it is worth considering how much you actually need as it may be you actually need NS or NPKS grades instead.
Agronomy Advice - Don't forget about sulphur
Don't forget about sulphur
Sulphur was often overlooked in the past but today it is recognised as an essential nutrient and considered just as important as nitrogen, so not to be forgotten.
Heavier fertiliser spreads further
Heavier fertiliser spreads further
Some fertilisers consistently spread further and more accurately than others. A heavier and larger fertiliser granule will spread further because the spreader can put more energy into it.
Increase grain protein with well timed nitrogen
Increase grain protein with well timed nitrogen
A well-timed application of nitrogen after the flag leaf final-dressing will increase the amount of nitrogen available to your crops during that crucial stage of protein development.
Foliar phosphate – energising cereal crops for spring growth
Foliar phosphate – energising cereal crops for spring growth
Many cereal crops struggle to get moving in early spring due to low phosphorus levels as a result of low phosphate availability. Giving these crops a quick 'energy boost' from foliar phosphate is the best way to get them started.
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