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Michigan explores new uses for wheat

A strategic growth study conducted by the Michigan Wheat Program is assessing new markets for Michigan’s wheat industry.

Executive Director Jody Pollok-Newsom tells Brownfield the study evaluated the current wheat industry and potential growth areas.  “When we look nationally and look at some of the flat acreage and some of the drops in acreage when we look at production, Michigan has been really strong and our yield increases have been really strong.”

She says the ethnic market may be one area that open new doors for wheat products.  “A rising market seems to be some of the tortillas and some of those type of ethnic foods.”  She says, “As we look ahead there may be some things we can capitalize on or take advantage of, certainly as we look at folks wanting food more readily available and spending less time cooking.”

Pollok-Newsom says the next phase of the study will be to explore marketing opportunities for the whole wheat plant including the wheat germ and straw.

AUDIO: Interview with Jody Pollok-Newsom