News

Michigan wheat growers host field day

The newly formed Michigan Wheat Program held its 3rd Annual Summer Field Day on Michigan State University’s research farms. Chairman Dave Milligan says their research focus has been on improving yields and quality.

“Soybeans and corn have seen a big yield increase in the last 5-10 years.”  He tells Brownfield, “Wheat’s stayed pretty stagnant, we just haven’t been able to get that bump we like to see.”  He says the growers want to be competitive while growing wheat.

Milligan says the Thumb of Michigan where he farms has received more than 3-5 inches of rain. While good for some crops, he says not wheat.  “It’s a little hard on the dry beans.”  Milligan tells Brownfield, “It’s probably good for growing wheat, but we’re also quite concerned about the potential for disease, head scab and that type of thing.”