Michigan’s annual wheat field day returns June 16
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EmailThe Michigan Wheat Program’s annual summer field day will be Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the MSU Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center.
Wheat growers can now register to attend the Michigan Wheat Program’s 14th annual Summer Field Day on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the MSU Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center, 3775 S Reese Rd, Frankenmuth, MI 48734. Things kick off at 8:15 a.m. with check-in and breakfast. The plot tour wagons roll out at 9 a.m. The day’s events will conclude at 2:30 p.m.
“Our Summer Field Day program is a great way for wheat farmers to see what’s happening with our grower-funded research,” said Jeffery Krohn, chairman of the nine-member Michigan Wheat Program board and a wheat farmer from Owendale, Michigan. “We visit the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center plots to see new varieties and nitrogen use efficiency work, along with plots on weed control, disease challenges, soil fertility and the new work of the 5-inch drill.”
An exciting new presentation this year will cover research utilizing the 5-inch drill purchased by the Michigan Wheat Program. Michigan State University Extension researchers noticed a trend of 5-inch rows and the positive results growers were receiving. Researchers were intrigued enough to request funding from the Michigan Wheat Program Board.
This is a new area of research and does not yet have multiple years of data. Nonetheless, the prospect is intriguing, and Maninder Singh, PhD, associate professor of cropping systems agronomy at MSU, will talk about the project out in the field, share details of his initial work and answer questions from growers. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Full agenda
8:15 a.m. Registration, Coffee and Breakfast
8:15 a.m. Plant Diagnostics, Jan Byrne, MSU Plant Diagnostics Center (bring your plants with you for diagnosis)
9 a.m. Welcome and Introductions, Jeffery Krohn, Michigan Wheat Program Chairman
9:05 a.m. Plot Presentations via Wagon Tour
- Disease Challenges and Management – Marty Chilvers, PhD, Keeley Satterfield
- Weed Control – Christy Sprague, PhD, Lauryn Wishowski
- Nitrogen Use Efficiency Varieties – Dennis Pennington, Eric Olson
- Wheat Soil Fertility Problems and Solutions – Kurt Steinke, PhD,
- Innovative Wheat Planting Strategies – Manni Singh, PhD, Wallas Mendes da Silva, Patrick Copeland
- Wheat Variety Development – Eric Olson, PhD
12:30 p.m. Lunch
After lunch, the Michigan Wheat Program Summer Field Day switches gears to other informative presentations that impact wheat producers. That schedule is:
1:30 p.m. Special Presentations, Jeffery Krohn, Michigan Wheat Program Chairman
1:40 p.m. Ag Bio Update, James Averill and George Smith, MSU AgBioResearch
1:50 p.m. Michigan Forever Green Project, Monica Jean, MSU Extension
2:00 p.m. Michigan Wheat Crop Harvest Expectations/Reminders, Dennis Pennington, MSU Wheat Specialist
2:30 p.m. Awarding of (pending) RUP and 3 (pending) CCA Credits, Jenna Falor and Monica Jean, MSU Extension
2:35 p.m. Adjourn, Jeffery Krohn, Michigan Wheat Program Chairman
Registration
There is no cost to attend the Michigan Wheat Program’s Summer Field Day. To ensure an accurate count for lunch, wagon seating and handout materials, please RSVP at the following link or call 1-888-WHEAT01 (888-943-2801).
Register for 2026 Michigan Wheat Program Summer Field Day
The Michigan Wheat Program is a check-off organization funded by the state’s wheat farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program promotes the state’s wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers by working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers. Research and grower education are top priorities for the organization.
