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Farmers curious how wheat conditions fared over winter

Winter wheat farmers are anxious to hear how the crop fared over winter as spring weather arrives in Illinois growing areas.

Illinois Wheat Association Executive Director Mike Doherty tells Brownfield he expects farmers will be sharing condition reports during their virtual annual meeting at the end of this month.

“What I’m hearing is it could be good, it could be mixed, I’m not quite sure.”

He says he heard about some damage to wheat in the western states.

“That cold be helpful to us here in Illinois on local wheat prices since much of our wheat is sold directly to wheat mills either in Illinois or close to Illinois.”

He says cash prices for soft red winter wheat in southern Illinois have been running between $6.12 an $6.40 per bushel.

“Those are pretty darn good prices when you compare it to back in December when we were a full $1 less per bushel.”

Doherty is optimistic the association could host their annual events in-person later this summer including the yield contest, plot tour and summer forum.