Why Growers Need to Plant WHEAT This Fall!!
All of us are disappointed in commodity prices right now. Corn, Wheat, and sorghum are all trading at prices that are
below the cost of production. As a result many growers are thinking of not planting wheat this fall and focusing on full
season soybean in 2015. THIS IS A MISTAKE! Let me tell you why.
1. Missed Opportunities – Despite the poor market outlook today the facts are that of all the major commodities
including soybean wheat has the most upside potential. Last year we saw this same weakness in the wheat market
only to see it rally up to harvest. Given the fact that poultry and hog producers will be expanding production
given the record profits they are seeing and increasing interest in the wheat export picture there is a good chance
we will see a similar rally in 2015. AND if weather turns hot in May and June in the Midwest and starts impacting
corn production that rally could continue into late summer. We know corn acres are going to be lower so any
improvement in feed demand or demand for wheat products will result in an increase in wheat prices. If growers
don’t plant wheat this fall they will MISS this potential opportunity and end up making a choice between planting
soybean at falling prices or corn which is already below the cost of production.
2. Higher Yield and Reduced Risk – When commodity prices are low you want to plant a crop that has consistent
yield potential because better yield can cover poor prices. North Carolina wheat growers have had three years of
good to great wheat yields despite the fact that they have experiences everything from a warm, dry winter in 201112 to a cold, wet year this past season. We can grow high yielding wheat consistently as long as we treat wheat
with the respect it deserves and manage it properly. This winter season has a high probability of a warm fall, cold
winter, and a moist, warm spring. Ideal for wheat production.
3.
Manage to Increase Yield and Keep Costs Low - When growing a crop in a tight market the key is to do it
right – right from the beginning. You can’t afford to do “rescue” treatments this season. So start right (your
best yield is made the day you plant the seed) and then support that crop with good management at jointing
and flowering. Three things to focus on 1) Plant the best seed you can find in the best condition you can put it
in. Don’t scrimp on seed. Plant only the highest yielding variety, invest in good seed treatments, and plant it at
the best seeding rate under the best conditions. This is not the year for average seed or low germinating seed
from the bin. Get the best certified seed you can find for your conditions. 2) Get all the growth you can in the
fall. The better the wheat grows in the fall the better your yield potential is. Good fertility, good soil conditions,
good ryegrass control, good insect control. All this needs to be accomplished to achieve good fall growth. 3)
When jointing comes around next spring be ready to support your yield potential with the proper level of
nutrients – particularly N. If you have a good wheat crop growing don’t drop the ball and cut the rate on N. Use
a tissue test and make sure you have the nutrients you need to keep wheat green and growing from jointing to
flag leaf.
These are the reasons you want to grow wheat this year. Follow these simple steps and next June your pocketbook will
thank you.
Dr. Ron Heiniger,
Professor of Crop Science and Cropping Systems Specialist
Why Plant Wheat?
There is a great deal of discussion in the past few days about planting wheat with low commodity prices. I
wanted to take this opportunity to share some thoughts I have based on our experiences from the past:

Wheat is an excellent crop in your rotation with corn, soybeans, and grain sorghum. Tests have shown
that beans behind beans will increase your nematodes levels. Rotation has worked so let’s continue
what has worked for us in the past.

Wheat crop is harvested at a time in which the income helps pay bills in other crops….first cash in the
crop year.

For most crops normally in a five year cycle there are two good crops (depending on price and yield),
one bad year and the other two years come somewhere in the middle with yield. We have had four
good years with high prices and good yields. When you look at the total Wheat acres planted for the
last ten years in our state six of the ten years we have planted 700,000 acres.

In an effort to save money some farmers will not plant certified seed in years such as the one we are
facing. You can start off with poor stands and weak plants but it will cost you at harvest time.
North Carolina is a thriving agriculture state….78 Billion plus dollars in AG business because we don’t put all
our dependence on one crop, the crops that have supported you in the past will continue to do so in the future
when you manage each crop to its highest potential.
Dan Weathington,
NCSGGA Executive Director