Michigan's 2021 wheat crop is facing potentially serious quality issues stemming from persistent rains across the state over the last several weeks. Environmental conditions have been favorable for the development of pre-harvest sprouting, a process that changes internal seed composition and reduces milling quality. Management of pre-harvest sprouting can be difficult once quality issues are present, but good communication and coordination between growers, grain receivers and crop insurance agents can improve challenging circumstances.
Over the second half of June, rain fell across portions of Michigan nearly every day. Now as wheat harvest kicks off in earnest following the July 4th holiday weekend, a similar wet weather pattern appears to be taking hold. This persistent moisture creates a situation that favors the development of pre-harvest sprouting in small grains. Once a kernel reaches physiological maturity in the seed head, germination can be initiated under conducive environmental conditions. The germination process triggers a-amylase enzyme activity that breaks down starches and proteins, degrading the quality of the kernel for milling purposes. This deterioration of quality begins long before sprouts are visible on the kernel. The "Falling Number" test is commonly used by grain receivers to assess pre-harvest sprouting, measuring the liquification of starch caused by a-amylase, rather than a-amylase content directly. This test will detect quality degradation that will compromise the milling quality of the wheat.
Crop insurance coverage extends to pre-harvest sprouting, though growers need to be aware of procedures to ensure claims can be filed. For a crop insurance claim to be made on discounted wheat, insurance adjusters will need to know if the wheat is sold, stored at home, or on delayed price at an elevator facility. For almost all grain quality issues, the elevator grade and dockage can be utilized to make the insurance settlement. Mycotoxins are an exception, where a sample must be sent to a federally approved grain lab for verification of toxin levels. Vomitoxin testing carries its own set of challenges for growers and grain receivers alike, but early indications suggest mycotoxin levels are low in the 2021 crop due to dry weather during flowering.
Pre-harvest sprouting can be highly variable in the field, dependent on the timing of physiological maturity and factors including variety, field location, and planting date. Segregation of poor quality grain can be difficult as small quantities of low falling number wheat in a truck will disproportionately impact the entire load. Pre-harvest sprouted grain needs to be harvested as quickly as possible to avoid further quality degradation in the field. Producers should consider harvesting wheat above typical storage moisture levels, either drying it themselves or delivering wet wheat directly to an elevator. Many grain receivers offer drying discounts to encourage early harvest and help ensure quality.
Poor quality wheat is a problem for the entire supply chain, but early communication and coordination can greatly improve an undesirable situation. Growers should be talking to grain receivers and crop insurance providers as soon as possible if they suspect their crop might have quality issues.
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Wheat, Harvesting, Weather