Wheat watchers 2024 wrap up
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EmailSee how the wheat harvest is progressing across the state.
This report is the final one of the 2024 wheat season. Thank you to all our wheat watchers this year who helped make these reports possible. Most of Michigan has made good progress on wheat harvest though some growers are still out trying to finish up due to weather.
Southwest region
We had one wheat watcher reporting in from the southwest from Barry County near Hickory Corners. They had soft red winter wheat. They are reporting a yield of 93 bushels with no issues with falling numbers at 364 and a test weight 60.
If you are interested in receiving southwest Michigan crop updates, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension field crops educator Nicolle Ritchie puts out a weekly update through MSU Extension Field Crops News.
Southeast region
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the southeast of Monroe County near Ida. They are reporting yields were 100-plus bushels with no variation based on soil type or planting date. They didn’t test for falling numbers and test weights were 59.
Other comments: “Good crops with minimum disease. Hope to push yield higher next year!”
East central (Thumb) region
We had two wheat watchers reporting in from the Thumb region: one in Huron County near Ubly and one in Tuscola County near Cass City. They are reporting on soft white winter wheat. The grower near Cass City is reporting a yield of 112 minimum while the watcher near Ubly has been hearing yields of 100-120. The watcher near Cass City reports falling numbers of 248 for samples taken in with test weights at 56-58. The watcher near Ubly had heard falling numbers started out well for most people, and some managed to hold high enough but they did fall as harvest progressed because of the rains.
Central region
We had three wheat watchers reporting from the central region: one in Saginaw County near Richville, one from Gratiot County near Middleton, and one from Isabella County near Mount Pleasant.
The watcher near Richville reports their wheat yielded 117 bushels per acre on average on a fairly uniform soil type. They had test weights of 57.8 and did not run falling numbers. They were surprised that it ran as well as it did for being so late planted.
The watcher near Isabella County is reporting yields were good with farmers reporting 90-110 bushels per acre. Good quality was reported except for white wheat that was later harvested. In general, farmers seem happy with the season noting the mild winter seemed to be a positive impact on tillering.
The watcher in Gratiot County reported about 95% of soft white winter wheat with 5% of soft red winter wheat across their area. Yields were approximately 10-15% above average with 90-120 bushels per acre incorporating most of the yields. Test weights were exceptional in the first half of harvest with at 60-63 but towards the end of they have decreased to 56-59. Like test weight falling numbers dropped off as the season progressed: they started in the upper 300s but as the season progressed, the red wheat fell to the low 300s and some of the white wheat fell below 100.
If you are interested in viewing the central Michigan crop updates, MSU Extension field crops educator Monica Jean puts out a weekly, live update through the MSU Extension Field Crops Facebook page.
West central region
We had one wheat watcher reporting in from the west central area in Mason County. They are reporting they are currently half done with harvest and have been averaging a little over 100 bushels so far. They have not had any falling numbers tested and the test weight is 58.
Other comments: “Will be glad to put this year's wheat crop behind us. More so than for most years. We've had a lot of lodging to deal with.”
North region
We had no wheat watchers reporting from the northern area this week.
Notes from Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat systems specialist
The MSU Wheat Performance Trial Report will be out by July 31, 2024. Data on yields, fusarium head blight, falling number and grain quality will be reported. The United States Department of Agriculture just increased the estimated wheat yield to 89 bushels per acre, tying our previous record high. With the reports I am hearing, we could end up setting a record high. Rains that delayed harvest cause poor falling numbers for some. In response, many elevators were taking grain as high as 22% moisture to encourage the earliest harvest as possible. Little to no vomitoxin has been reported. Yields have been very good in most areas.