Wheat

Michigan Wheat Industry Research Priorities              

The goal of the Michigan Wheat Program is to improve the profitability of wheat production by increasing grain yields, promoting
cost-effective production inputs, and addressing threats to grain quality. The MWP recognizes the need for conducting applied
research; assessing and understanding markets and potential markets; developing and delivering information and educational
programs; and encouraging communications and collaboration within the production sector and between industry partners. The
following are some priority research and educational objectives by category.

Agronomic practices:

• improve the efficiency and management of nitrogen fertilizer;
• identify plant nutrients that may be limiting grain yields;
• refine management practices to improve wheat establishment;
• promote sound harvesting practices to minimize harvest losses and optimize grain quality;
• study the use and benefits of cover crops;
• measure the effects of crop rotations on the performance of wheat and subsequent crops;
• assess the interaction of planting dates, fertilization, and seeding practices;
• identify differences in varietal response to agronomic inputs;
• evaluate opportunities for double cropping.

Pest management:

• evaluate the efficacy of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides;
• develop management strategies to mitigate losses due to pests;
• identify and assess diseases threatening to wheat;
• evaluate the interaction of pesticides, varieties and agronomic practices;
• develop strategies to manage Fusarium head scab to help insure a quality product for end-users.

Variety development and evaluation

• identify new public and private varieties that may prove beneficial to MI growers;
• evaluate the response of wheat lines and varieties to high management practices;
• develop superior varieties exhibiting greater yield potential, disease resistance and grain quality;
• initiate or collaborate on efforts that address the quality losses due to Fusarium head scab.

Marketing, economic and production analysis:

• identify financially feasible production and marketing practices;
• understand current markets and their potential/saturation;
• understand the flow ofMI wheat in the marketplace;
• disseminate information regarding current market trends and marketing strategies;
• explore new market uses;
• explore new markets including niche markets;
• explore options for developing markets to serve MI companies;
• identify and summarize current production practices employed by MI growers.

Education and outreach activities

• develop and implement strategies to expedite the adoption of sound and profitable practices;
• develop educational products such as bulletins, fact sheets, research summaries, and powerpoint presentations that
• address issues related to a profitable wheat industry;
• identify and implement methods that promote information delivery;
• supply cutting edge information to growers to make economically sound production decisions;
• share sound information with growers regarding potential new markets and opportunities;
• assist growers in participating in on-farm research.

 

Updated October 2015