March 21st Michigan Wheat Program event to feature panel discussion on German wheat industry
Lansing, Mich. (March 9, 2018) – One of the feature presentations at this month’s wheat annual meeting will be led by two Michigan wheat farmers and MSU’s wheat specialist, talking about what they learned during an agricultural tour of Germany last year. The Grower Panel on German Wheat Production is part of the Michigan Wheat Program’s 6th Annual Winter Grower Meeting, to be held at the Eagle Eye Conference Center in Bath Township on Wednesday, March 21.
The “top five” German presentation features wheat farmers Mike Milligan and Jeff Krohn, moderated by Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat specialist, all of whom met with German farmers, agribusiness representatives and university officials last year to learn how the Germans are able to produce 175 bushels of wheat per acre. Highlights of the presentation, Pennington said, include German climate, proper seeding rates, nutrient application practices, tiller management and overall wheat plant health.
Continuing the international theme, the meeting’s keynote speaker is an encore appearance by Canadian wheat specialist Peter Johnson, who was very well-received at the Michigan Wheat Program’s 2015 Annual Winter Meeting.
Johnson recently retired from his position as provincial cereal specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and is well-known in Canada and the US for his work to increase wheat yields. Johnson will present High-Yield Wheat: Setting the Stage and also Management for High Yields.
This year’s Annual Winter Grower Meeting begins with registration and continental breakfast at 8:15 a.m., along with the trade show. Presentations start at 9 a.m., beginning with a welcome by David Milligan, chair of the Michigan Wheat Program.
Other presentations include:
- Farm Bill Update by Kyle Varner, US Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee.
- An Update on the Michigan Wheat Program by executive director Jody Pollok-Newsom.
- 2018 Resources Available to wheat growers by Martin Nagelkirk, MSUE wheat educator, and Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat specialist.
- Grower Needs Survey by Pennington to get feedback on research and new issues.
There is no cost to attend the 2018 Annual Winter Grower Meeting, but advance registration is required to ensure the lunch count, adequate seating and handouts. The complete itinerary and registration information may be found at www.miwheat.org at the top of the “What’s Hot” column on the left edge. Farmers may also register by phone by calling: 888-WHEAT01 (888-943-2801).
The Michigan Wheat Program is funded by nearly 8,000 farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program board seeks to promote the state’s wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers. Research on wheat production practices and grower education has been an early priority for the organization.