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Michigan wheat just about to flower

Michigan State University Extension’s wheat specialist says the state’s crop is just about to enter grain fill.

Dennis Pennington says by the end of the week wheat should be start to flower and will be susceptible to fusarium head blight.

“Infection can occur at fairly low temperatures, even down in the low 50s,” he says. “With the rain in the forecast, there’s increased likelihood that we can have a Fusarium Head Blight problem this year because you have that extra moisture.”

The host farmer for Tuesday’s wheat field day is a multi-year state and national wheat yield winner. Pennington says growing 174-bushel wheat takes multipronged management.

“What these guys are very good at is doing testing on their farm and identifying things that are limiting their yield potential, and then they figure out ways to change their practices,” he points out.

USDA is currently forecasting Michigan’s wheat production at 87 bushels per acre. Pennington says the estimate is pretty reasonable for this point in the season.

Brownfield interviewed Pennington during the Allegan County regional wheat field day. Two more field days will take place this week in the Thumb and central Michigan.