Producers should pay close attention to the growth stage of their wheat before making their herbicide applications.

Corn ear development occurs throughout the growing season and extreme temperature or moisture stress at different growth stages will decrease different aspects of grain yield.

To determine how much nitrogen to apply this spring, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension says to submit tissue samples when wheat reaches GS-30.

Grain moisture content at different growth stages is fairly well known. Kernel moisture content decreases as the kernels develop through the blister stage (85%), milk stage (80%), dough stage (70%), dent stage (55%), and finally physiological maturity (30%).

Herbicide application restrictions exist for several reasons, but of particular importance is the increased likelihood of crop injury if applications are made beyond a specified growth stage.