Lansing, Mich. (May 26, 2026) – It’s time to register! Wheat growers planning to attend the Michigan Wheat Program’s 14th annual Summer Field Day, back at the MSU Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center (SVREC) this year, should register now. The program takes place on Tues., June 16 at SVREC located at 3775 S. Reese Rd., Frankenmuth. Things kick off at 8:15 a.m. with check-in and breakfast. The plot tour wagons roll out at 9 a.m. The day’s events will conclude at 2:30 p.m.
“Our Summer Field Day program is a great way for wheat farmers to see for ourselves what’s happening with our grower-funded research,” said Jeffery Krohn, chairman of the nine-member Michigan Wheat Program board and a wheat farmer from Owendale. “We visit the SVREC plots to see new varieties and nitrogen use efficiency work, along with plots on weed control, disease challenges, soil fertility and the new work of the 5” drill.”
An exciting new presentation this year will cover research utilizing the 5” drill purchased by the MI Wheat Program. MSU researchers noticed a trend of 5-inch rows and the positive results growers were receiving. Researchers were intrigued enough to request funding from the MI Wheat Program Board.
This is a new area of research and does not yet have multiple years of data. Nonetheless, the prospect is intriguing and Dr. Maninder Singh will talk about the project out in the field, share details of his initial work and answer questions from growers. Don’t miss this opportunity!
The full agenda for the morning wagon tours is:
8:15 a.m. Registration, Coffee and Breakfast
8:15 a.m. Plant Diagnostics Jan Byrne, MSU Plant Diagnostics Center
- (Bring your plants with you to field day for diagnosis)
9 a.m. Welcome and Introductions Jeffery Krohn, MI Wheat Program Chairman
9:05 a.m. Plot Presentations via wagon tour
- Disease Challenges and Management – Dr. Marty Chilvers, Keeley Satterfield
- Weed Control – Dr. Christy Sprague, Lauryn Wishowski
- Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Varieties – Dennis Pennington, Eric Olson
- Wheat Soil Fertility Problems and Solutions – Dr. Kurt Steinke
- Using Plots with New 5” Drill/Erect Varieties – Dr. Manni Singh, Wallas Mendes da Silva
- Wheat Variety Development – Dr. Eric Olson
12:30 Lunch
After lunch, the MI Wheat Program Summer Field Day switches gears to other informative presentations that impact wheat producers. That schedule is:
- 1:30 p.m. Special Presentations, Jeffery Krohn, MI Wheat Program Chairman
- 1:40 p.m. Ag Bio Update, James Averill & George Smith, MSU Ag Bio Research
- 1:50 p.m. Michigan Forever Green Project, Monica Jean, MSUE
- 2:00 p.m. Michigan Wheat Crop Harvest Expectations/Reminders, Dennis Pennington, MSU Wheat Specialist
- 2:30 p.m. Awarding of (pending) RUP and 3 (pending) CCA Credits, Jenna Falor and Monica Jean, MSUE
- 2:35 p.m. Adjourn, Jeffery Krohn, MI Wheat Program Chairma
There is no cost to attend the Michigan Wheat Program’s Summer Field Day. To ensure an accurate count for lunch, wagon seating and handout materials, please RSVP at www.miwheat.org under the “Action Needed: Sign Up” section on the home page. Or, you may register by calling 1-888-WHEAT01 (888-943-2801).
The MWP is a check-off organization funded by the state’s wheat farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program promotes the state’s wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers by working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers. Research and grower education are top priorities for the organization.