Wheat Watchers: Harvest has begun!
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EmailSee how the wheat crop is progressing across the state this week.
Welcome to the ninth edition of this season’s Wheat Watchers! This report is only possible because of our agribusinesses and farmers who participate as wheat watchers. If you are interested in being a wheat watcher, especially if you see your area isn’t represented, please reach out to MSU Extension field crops educator Jenna Falor at falorjen@msu.edu.
Overall, this week reporters are seeing wheat ranging from Feekes 10 in the northernmost region to Feekes 11.0 (soft dough) to 11.4 (ready for harvest) in the southwest part of the state.
Southwest Michigan
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the southwest region in Barry County near Hickory Corners. Wheat has reached Feekes 11.3–11.4. Many folks are preparing for harvest if not already started.
Southeast Michigan
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the southeast region in Jackson County near Jackson. Wheat is at Feekes 11.3 with harvest likely to begin next week. There is some sooty mold, though nothing severe, and limited reports of head scab.
East central (Thumb) Michigan
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the Thumb in Huron County near Ubly. Wheat is at Feekes 11.1–11.2.
Central Michigan
We had three wheat watchers reporting from the central region: one in Saginaw County near Richville, one in Gratiot County near Middleton and one in Ingham County near Mason.
Wheat in Ingham County is at Feekes 11.3 and harvest hasn’t started in the area yet. The cool weather extended the grain fill period, but the recent hot days have pushed wheat to physiological maturity quite rapidly.
Wheat in Gratiot County is at Feekes 11.0. The heat this week is pushing the crop along, and harvest is predicted to start around July 10-12. Overall, the wheat crop in this region is short but weather conditions during grain fill were perfect. Heads are anticipated to be well filled.
Wheat in Saginaw County has reached Feekes 11.2–11.3. Some nitrogen overlap is visible in some fields with lodging occurring.
West central Michigan
We had no wheat watchers reporting from the west central region this week.
North Michigan
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the north region in Montmorency County near Hillman. Wheat has reached Feekes 10.5.4–11.2. There is some possible low yields and straw is short. The region had some cool weather and lots of rain but are in a heat wave this week.
Notes from Dennis Pennington
The extended cool period over the past three to four weeks helped wheat to fill heads. Many spikelets have three to four seeds. Wheat that was close to Feekes 11.3 at the onset of the recent hot days will likely have high yield potential, high test weight and good grain quality. Once the stem turns yellow, grains in the head are susceptible to preharvest sprout. Red wheat varieties can tolerate about 48 hours of moisture (could be all at once or intermittent rainfall) before they will start to sprout. White wheat varieties will start sprouting right after 24 hours of moisture.
Keep track of weather patterns as we near harvest. Check your local elevator to see if they offer any discounts on drying. If they do, harvest early, i.e., once grain moisture drops to 18%, cut as soon as possible.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program (grant no 2024-70006-43569) from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.