Michigan’s 2024 wheat trial results

By Andi Anderson

Wheat producers are encouraged to review the latest research from the Michigan Wheat Program, detailed in the newly released 2024 MSU Wheat Performance Trials Report.

For over 30 years, Michigan State University (MSU) has conducted these trials, and 2024 marks the 12th consecutive year that the Michigan Wheat Program has funded and supported this report.

The report compares yield, disease resistance, and quality parameters, with a special focus on falling number.

Farmers planning to plant wheat this fall should consult the report to learn more about the 101 varieties tested across Michigan. MSU wheat systems specialist Dennis Pennington, along with MSU wheat breeder Dr. Eric Olson, completed the harvest of the plots in mid-July and finalized the report.

“Falling number issues in our wheat crop are becoming more and more of a problem,” said Michigan Wheat Program chairman Jeffery Krohn, a wheat farmer from Owendale. “There is much more to learn about this issue, so it makes sense to add it to the variety trial work. We do know that early harvest at higher moisture is an important tool, especially in years like this when hurricane-like rains arrived at the wrong time.”

“New variety development has consistently been a top priority for Michigan’s wheat farmers,” said Jody Pollok-Newsom, executive director of the Michigan Wheat Program. “This report is a compilation of yield, disease, and quality data on 101 wheat varieties. About half of them are experimental lines from 13 seed companies, including MSU. Investing in research that helps wheat growers be profitable is a key mission for the Michigan Wheat Program.”

Selecting the right wheat variety to plant is one of the most crucial decisions a grower will make. It sets the bar for the crop’s yield potential. High-yielding varieties with strong disease resistance should be the primary criteria when making selections.

The 2024 MSU Wheat Performance Trials Report is an invaluable resource for farmers, providing comprehensive data to help them make informed decisions and optimize their wheat production.

By staying informed about the latest research and variety performance, producers can enhance their crop management strategies and improve their overall profitability.

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