Greetings! - Harvey's

I came across some timely information I thought could be useful. Below is an article from Dr. Ron Heiniger “Making Wheat Profitable in 2016.” I also have included the 2015 Board of Directors for the NC Small Grain Growers Association. Please feel free to share with your growers!

Sincerely,

Rick Morris

Harvey’s Agronomist

Making Wheat Profitable in 2016

Dr. Ron Heiniger, NCSU Professor of Crop Science and Cropping Systems Specialist

As Yogi Berra once said its déjà vu all over again! This year as it was in 2015 all of us are disappointed in commodity prices right now. Corn, Wheat, and sorghum are all trading at prices that are below the cost of production. What rescued us from our pessimism in 2015 was good weather in early November and a rally in prices. While prices have tried to rally the weather certainly hasn’t been favorable this fall. HOWEVER – a good grower knows that letting weather or low planting prices dictate his intentions is a good way to miss opportunity. Here is what you need to consider before giving up on wheat.

Missed Opportunities – Last year we said you would have the chance to sell wheat for $6 per bushel. YOU DID! There weren’t’ many days that you had that opportunity but it was there. This coming year you will have the same – or even better – opportunity to sell above $6. Don’t give up on wheat due to low prices. The outlook for wheat is even better in 2015-16 than it was in 2014-15. Many of us will be looking for cash flow next summer. With corn yields down, solar panels up, and soybeans damaged by weather, feeders will be looking to wheat as a good energy and protein source for livestock. Look for good harvest basis at just the right time to make some profit on wheat.
Higher Yield and Reduced Risk – When commodity prices are low you want to plant a crop that has consistent yield potential because better yield can cover poor prices. North Carolina wheat growers have had four years of good to great wheat yields despite the fact that they have experiences everything from a warm, dry winter in 2011-12 to a cold, wet year this past season. We can grow high yielding wheat consistently as long as we treat wheat with the respect it deserves and manage it properly. This winter season has a high probability of a warmer January and February. That is good news for those of us planting wheat in mid to late November or even early December. Due to projected warmer weather in January and February this late planted wheat has good to excellent yield potential. JUST GET IT IN THE GROUND AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
Manage to Increase Yield and Keep Costs Low – When growing a crop in a tight market the key is to do it right – right from the beginning. You can’t afford to do “rescue” treatments this season. So start right (your best yield is made the day you plant the seed) and then support that crop with good management at jointing and flowering. Three things to focus on 1) Plant the best seed you can find in the best condition you can put it in. Don’t scrimp on seed. When you plant late you need to increase seeding rates – Increase 10-12% these last two weeks in November and another 10-12% when planting in December. Plant only the highest yielding variety, invest in good seed treatments, and plant it at the best seeding rate under the best conditions. 2) Make sure you have N available – wheat needs warm temperature and nitrogen to tiller. When temperatures warm up make sure you have N available for that crop to green up. 3) When jointing comes around next spring be ready to support your yield potential with the proper level of nutrients – particularly N. If you have a good wheat crop growing don’t drop the ball and cut the rate on N. Use a tissue test and make sure you have the nutrients you need to keep wheat green and growing from jointing to flag leaf.

THE TIME IS STILL RIGHT TO PLANT WHEAT IN THE FALL ALL THE WAY TO THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER. Use a higher seeding rate, a good variety, a little fall N and look to lock in a profit when basis improves this coming year. Last year many wheat growers were smiling in June. Why not be one of those smiling this year when your neighbor says, “I wish I had planted wheat like you did!”

2015 BOARD of DIRECTORS

Steve Griffin – President, Washington, NC 252-975-3557, Beaufort County

Clifton Paul – Past President, Grantsboro, NC 252-745-4310, Pamlico County

Dawson Pugh – 1st Vice President, Englehard, NC 252-925-3720, Hyde County

Timmy Thomas – 2nd Vice President, Timberlake, NC 336-597-1131, Person County

David Davenport – Treasurer, Greenville, NC 252-752-6930, Pitt County

Darryl Corriher – Secretary, China Grove, NC 704-857-6557, Rowan County

Thomas Roach, Hertford, NC 252-339-6611, Perquimans County

Kevin Matthews, East Bend, NC 336-468-2350, Yadkin County

Hunter Stevenson, Elizabeth City, NC 252-333-2904, Pasquotank County

Ron Perry, Wendell, NC 919-818-9266, Wake County

Berry Lewis, Rocky Mt., NC 214-616-2081, Nash County

Marion Keech, Belhaven, NC 252-943-3141, Beaufort County

Mike McPherson, Bladenboro, NC 910-840-7410, Bladen County

Robert Foscue, Clayton, NC 919-771-4829, Johnston County

Frankie Revels, Williamston, NC 252-809-2290, Martin County

Murray McCLenny, Mt. Olive, NC 919-635-0754, Wayne County

Jack Alphin, Mt. Olive, NC 919-738-2042, Duplin County

Adam Stewart, Newton, NC 828-244-7269, Catawba County

Jim Radford, Mt. Airy, NC 336-374-8419, Surry County

Andrew Gardner, Marshville, NC 704-975-4741, Union County

Rick Morris, Bladenboro, NC 910-866-5485, Bladen County

John Glover, Elm City, NC 252-243-6965, Wilson County

Lacy Cummings, Pembroke, NC 910-827-1211, Robeson County

Drew Medlin, Indian Trail, NC 704-226-8020, Union County

Dan Weathington, Executive Director,

206 East 19th Street, Lumberton, NC 28358

Office/Cell#: 910-739-0236, 910-736-8258

Nikki Johnson, Marketing & IT

3822 Bland Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609

Office: 919-809-8657