Wheat watchers week of July 1, 2024
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EmailSee how the wheat crop is progressing across the state this week.
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 Michigan State University Extension field crops educator Jenna Falor at falorjen@msu.edu.
Overall, this week reporters are seeing wheat stands in good condition with Feekes growth stage 11.2–11.4 or already harvested across the state.
Southwest region
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the southwest region, one from St. Joseph County near Centreville and one from Allegan County near Wayland. Wheat is reported to be at Feekes 11.4–harvested, which means wheat has reached physiological maturity and is drying down or it has already done this and was harvested. The watcher near Centreville reports there has been some lodging from wind and storms in the area. The watcher near Wayland reports harvest started in earnest Monday, July 1, with no issues to report so far concerning grain quality. That same watcher reports some marestail escapes did come through the canopy. They are watching the rain forecast and trying to harvest before any rain or storms move into the area.
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
This week we had two wheat watchers reporting from the southeast, one from Jackson County and one from Monroe County near Ida. The watcher near Ida is reporting it is harvest time and the one in Jackson County is reporting a range of Feekes 11.3–11.4. In the Jackson County area, the recent rains from last weekend slowed some growers from getting to fields that otherwise would be ready. The watcher in Monroe County is reporting good yields with low vomitoxins so far. The only concern is that some wheat is down from heavy rains and high winds.
East central (Thumb) region
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the Thumb region in Huron County near Ubly. Wheat is being reported at Feekes 11.3–11.4 across the area. They do note they have seen combines running or at least testing some fields over by Unionville.
Central region
We had four wheat watchers reporting from the central region: one in Saginaw County near Richville, one from Gratiot County near Middleton, one from Isabella County near Mount Pleasant and one from Ingham County near Mason. Wheat is reported at Feekes 11.3–harvested across the area. All the watchers are reporting harvest has started across the area in the past week.
The watcher near Mt. Pleasant is reporting that growers of some of the fields that were hit heavy with stripe rust are concerned about some yield and potentially quality issues. The watcher near Middleton reports that the quality so far has been excellent, there are no issues with vomitoxin, falling numbers have been 390-plus and test weights have been 60-plus. In the Middleton area they are expecting harvest to be in full swing mid- to end of this week if the weather agrees. The watcher near Mason is reporting no issues thus far and grain moisture is currently in the mid-teens to low 20s.
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 from the west central region in Kent County. Wheat is reported at Feekes 11.2–11.4. Some harvest has begun but rains have slowed it down. The watcher is seeing yields and test weights that are better than expected. Some vomitoxin has been found but nothing of concern yet. This area has had several inches of rain on the maturing crop. This combined with the heavy dews and higher humidity are starting to be concerning, especially for the white wheat quality. With the wetter weather pattern we are experiencing, wheat should be harvested at a higher moisture to help preserve high milling quality.
North region
We had no wheat watchers reporting from the northern area this week.
Notes from Dennis Pennington
Dennis Pennington, a Michigan State University Extension wheat systems specialist, reports it is early but so far he hasn’t heard of any falling numbers or vomitoxin problems being reported. He has seen more lodging in fields this year compared to the past three to four years. Wheat is close to harvest or already started. Pay attention to long-range forecast: If there is a significant chance of frequent rain, consider harvesting at a higher moisture than you normally would to ensure grain quality. Check with your local elevator—several have early harvest options available where they will pay all or part of the drying charge. So far, yields have been higher than most growers expected. Before you start harvest, make sure all the trucks, wagons, augers, etc. are all clean or potential contaminants. Be safe out there!