The basics of wheat production
Knowledge is crucial to success in crop production, and seldom more so than for wheat in South Africa, where growing conditions vary and much of the country’s supply is imported. Producers need to base short- and long-term planning on the latest market and industry information so they can adapt when required to increase profit per hectare.
To succeed, a farmer has to understand his or her specific production area, take note of long-term climate conditions, and keep up with the latest cultivars.
CHOOSING CULTIVARS
Cultivar choice is a key production decision and can contribute to reducing risk and optimising yield. The selection of a cultivar is principally an economic decision, where the producer must find a balance between risk and yield potential. The yield potential of the wheat, in combination with the production area, climate and soil type, is as important as the management of input and production costs.
Cultivars differ in characteristics such as area adaptability, yield potential and stability, agronomic characteristics, as well as tolerance of diseases,
