Warm weather coupled with lack of snow cover have prompted many questions regarding the relative winterhardiness of Wisconsin's winter wheat crop. Though daytime temperatures have risen into the 40's continued night time temperatures below freezing have prompted wheat plants to maintain a winterhardy state. Relatively speaking the WI winter wheat crop is at more risk to winterkill if we get a sudden and prolonged severe cold snap than in "normal" years however following my inspection of the Chilton variety trial site on 2/17/12 (Image above) my overall concern is very low.
