Fusarium head blight (FHB) is still one of the biggest threats to wheat crops across the Prairies. It hits yield, downgrades grain quality, and hurts your bottom line. But the good news? Spraying works—if you get the timing right. 

New Research, Better Timing 

Forget the old advice about spraying before flowering.  New research conducted North Dakota and Saskatchewan by Andrew Friskop, a cereal crop plant pathologist with North Dakota State University, shows that the best time to spray is when the first flowers appear in the middle of the wheat head according to the Western Producer article on the project. That’s your sweet spot. You’ve got about a 7-day window from that point to get your fungicide on for the best protection.  

Why It Matters 

Spraying too early means the fungicide might miss the infection window. Too late, and the damage is already done. Hitting that early flowering stage gives you the best shot at protecting yield and quality. 

Quick Tips for Hitting the Window 

• Use risk maps. Tools like the FHB Risk Mapping Tool from ADAMA help you decide if spraying is worth it this year. 

• Watch the weather. Warm, wet conditions mean higher risk. 

• Scout for stage, not symptoms. Look for those first yellow anthers in the middle of the head. 

Bottom line: timing is everything. A well-timed spray can mean the difference between #1 grade and feed wheat. 

Links 

Western Producer article: Later called better when spraying for fusarium | The Western Producer 

FHB Risk Mapping Tool:  Tools To Tackle Fusarium - ADAMA West Canada