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The Michigan Wheat Program values our relationships with researchers devoted to improving quality and yield and overall productivity and profitability of wheat production for Michigan farmers.
Since the first proposals were accepted in 2012, the program has invested more than $3.4 million in nearly 150 projects. Research is and has been the number-one focus of the organization; at least 60 percent of the organization’s budget is devoted to it annually.
The MI Wheat Program issues its annual call for research proposals to keep Michigan wheat farmers on the cutting edge of production and competitive in the marketplace each summer for submittal in August.
The MWP board seeks collaborative research projects that leverage grower dollars to address production issues including high-management techniques, crop rotation, cover crops and nutrient management, as well as insect, weed and disease control. Collaboration with other researchers and farmers in on-farm research is highly valued.
MWP’s board is also interested in market-driven projects that focus on current domestic and export wheat opportunities, value-added applications, nutrition and other new uses of winter wheat.
To date, most projects have been funded at Michigan State University, although the board is open to researchers in other public institutions or private entities pursuing projects that reflect Michigan’s growing conditions and priorities. The projects need to find answers for growers that can be shared without increased cost.
IN early summer, a request for proposals is released. Proposals are submitted in early and considered by the entire board in late August, with preference and potentially funding going to those that best address the needs of Michigan’s wheat community. After proposals are reviewed, a presentation may be requested.
At the conclusion of the project each year, the Michigan Wheat Program requires all researchers to submit a Final Report. Click here to download the template for it.
The Michigan Wheat Program’s research priorities parallel the MSU Project GREEEN wheat priorities. Click here to review.
The Michigan Wheat Program is a state-check off program voted in by the state’s wheat farmers to assess each bushel of wheat grown and sold. The funds from the program are utilized to further the wheat industry in the state benefitting the state’s nearly 8,000 wheat farmers who grow about 450,000 acres of wheat annually producing about a 40 million bushel crop.
