Raising the bar with our wheat yields
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EmailGrain yields must improve if wheat is to remain a viable Michigan crop. Learn how to boost yields at this event.
Grain yields must improve if wheat is to remain a viable crop for thousands of Michigan farmers. In 2010, the state average was only 70 bushels per acre. To remain a competitive crop, growers may need to find a way to raise this mark to at least 80 bushels per acre within the next few years.
Michigan‘s average yields have slowly crept upward during the past couple decades. However, this may be due to improvements at the lower end of the yield range rather than raising the bar for top yields.
Join us March 3 in Frankenmuth
To discuss ways to boost wheat yields, an educational event entitled “Winter Wheat Management” is being planned for March 3 in Frankenmuth. The day will include:
- Wheat Breeding at MSU. Current research priorities; future of breeding in the U.S. by Janet Lewis, Wheat Breeding Specialist, Michigan State University.
- Breaking Yield Barriers. Summary of Ontario’s SMART program by Peter Johnson, Provincial Cereal Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Ag.
- Michigan’s Wheat Industry. Industry overview and trends by Jim Howe, V.Pres. Elavator Division, Star of the West Milling; and Advancing the interests of growers by Bob Boehm, Commodity and Marketing Dept., MI Farm Bureau.
- Avoiding Yield and Quality Losses Due to Wheat Diseases. Most damaging diseases; current Ohio research and recommendations by Pierce Paul, Dept. of Plant Pathology, Ohio State University.
- Improving Wheat Yields. Specific steps growers can use to increase yields by Peter Johnson, Provincial Cereal Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Ag.
- Working together in 2011. Learning together through communications and participatory field trials by Martin Nagelkirk, MSU Extension Educator.
The March 3 event will be held at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth and will run from 9:30 AM until 3:00 PM. Six Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) credits are offered. Preregistration is due February 25 by calling the MSU Extension office in Sanilac County (810-648-2515). For more information, see the meeting announcement.
