Winter wheat heads have emerged from the boot nearly everywhere and many are now flowering (yellow anthers visible) in fields across New York State. This is a critical time for making a fungicide spray decision. The fungicide products Caramba, Miravis Ace, Prosaro, Prosaro Plus, and Sphaerex are each labeled on wheat in New York and are effective in suppression of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin contamination. An application of these fungicide products should be based on FHB risk as well as the risks of powdery mildew, rusts, and fungal leaf blotches in the upper canopy based on scouting of individual fields. There is an application window of approximately 7 days starting at beginning of flowering in which reasonable FHB and DON suppression can be expected. Though the calculated risk of FHB infection is currently low due to dry conditions, the risk level may change in following days. Also consider microenvironments near lakes, in river valleys and n ext to woods that tend to have persistent dew, and other fields that have a history of mycotoxin contamination. Check the Fusarium Risk Assessment Tool (www.w.heatscab.psu.edu/ ) and your local weather forecast frequently.

You are invited to attend Cornell’s 35th Annual Small Grains Management Field Day at Fleur De Lis Brewery in Seneca Falls on June 8. Visit https://cals.cornell.edu/2023-small-grains-managment-field-day to view the agenda and pre-register (free)!

--Gary Bergstrom, Extension Plant Pathologist, Cornell University