Dryland Wheat Varieties – Grower Considerations

Key Takeaways

• Reduce dryland risk by planting multiple wheat varieties with strong yield potential, disease tolerance, and complementary maturities.
• Optimize seeding rates based on yield potential and available moisture to support productive tillering and efficient water use.
• Start with certified wheat seed to improve planting accuracy, stand establishment, and yield potential.

Planning Helps Dryland Wheat Growers Maximize Yield Potential

Every dryland wheat season presents different challenges, from drought and late freezes to evolving disease pressure. While weather cannot be controlled, thoughtful planning can help position a crop for success.

As planting season approaches, the most successful dryland wheat crops won’t rely on a single characteristic. They’ll combine proven genetics with sound management to make the most of every acre. This article discusses some considerations wheat growers may wish to consider.

Dryland Wheat Variety Selection

Dryland wheat variety selection is one of the most important steps to ensuring a successful wheat growing season. Drought tolerance may top the list when selecting seed for dryland systems, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.

“Most growers are chasing yield, but disease tolerance, end-use quality and agronomic characteristics like standability and maturity should be factored into their variety decisions,” said Mark Lubbers, WestBred^® Wheat technical product manager. “Select varieties that have performed consistently well on the farm over several seasons, but also plan on planting multiple varieties this season.”

Growing conditions can vary significantly from one season to the next, making it important to select varieties with a balanced agronomic package. Disease tolerance, standability, maturity, grazing potential and grain quality all contribute to the season’s performance.

Rather than relying on a single product, Lubbers recommends planting multiple varieties with different strengths.

“We don’t know what each year will bring,” he said. “That’s why it’s important not to limit your operation to just one or two varieties. In drought-prone areas, some farmers may feel the urge to shift to planting more drought-tolerant varieties. Don’t make a knee-jerk reaction—make sure those varieties still meet your other agronomic needs.”

Planting varieties with different maturities and disease packages can help reduce risk while improving the likelihood that at least one variety is well suited to the growing conditions each season.

Optimal Seeding Rates for Dryland Wheat Varieties

Seeding rate is another important management decision in dryland production.

While some growers are compelled to increase seeding rates to compensate for uncertain conditions, higher populations don’t always translate into higher yields. In dry environments, overly thick stands can increase competition for water and reduce the crop’s ability to tiller. Instead, growers should adjust seeding rates based on expected yield potential, planting date and the characteristics of each variety.

WestBred’s Optimal Seeding Rate is a data-driven tool that helps growers determine populations based on local conditions and management goals, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all recommendation.

The Value of Certified Wheat Seed for Dryland Wheat Growers

Using certified wheat seed further improves planting accuracy by providing known seed counts and germination, allowing growers to confidently calculate the number of viable seeds planted per acre. Dryland farmers can find certified wheat seed using the WestBred Wheat seed guide.

1716_995000