The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has developed the ‘Ten Tips for Early Sown Wheat' resource which covers a range of considerations for sowing wheat early including location, paddock selection, dry sowing, soil moisture, cultivar choice, crop protection, grazing and nitrogen.

Combined, these considerations can help growers to achieve flowering in the optimal flowering period from early sowing opportunities, which is a short period in spring (approximately 10 days) during which crops must flower to maximise yields.

Achieving optimal flowering can make a big difference to yield and profit and costs very little to achieve. However, there are some challenges to consider when sowing wheat early.

For example, location and prevailing climate can influence when the optimal flowering period occurs. ‘Ten Tips for Early Sown Wheat' provides the optimal flowering date for key locations across the southern region and the germination date to achieve the highest yield of a fast spring cultivar such as Scepter.

The publication advises growers in frost-prone areas to have the crop flowering seven to 10 days later by delaying sowing or using a variety with a slower development pattern.
More details can be found here: https://bit.ly/3cZuHz4