Small grain for dummies

schriffs · Oct 21, 2013

I am looking at planting small grain for next year, and looking for some experience/advice. I am in central Minnesota on fairly light, sandy soil. I had oats a few years ago, but had trouble selling them because the local elevator wasn't taking any at the time, and the price isn't real great. I am thinking about wheat or rye, but have almost no experience with either. I would prefer to straight cut, but can get a neighbor to swath if needed. What are the differences in different types of wheat (hard/soft/red, etc.?) what about planting and harvest times? Is winter wheat harvested earlier in the year than spring wheat, or does it just end up growing longer because of getting planted in the fall? My neighbor has had success with rye but has not tried wheat, his soil is similar to mine. Pros, cons, weed control? Thanks for any advice.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 22, 2013

The biggest thing with wheat in minnesota is that not a lot of elevators take it in any more. The closest place for me in central MN was 50 miles away. That wasn't an option at the time as I only had gavity boxes. I had to pay to have it hauled. I now have a grain truck. So I would check into that. I straight cut it with my 90 allis chalmers combine. You have to be paitent if you are straight cutting it to make sure it is dry enough. I grew RBO7 hard red spring wheat the last time and it did ok. That is a semi drwarf so you don't get as much straw, but it didn't lodge at all. I also spray a funicide when I spray the weeds. You have to be careful not to spray once you can feel the head in the stalk. If you spray too late it can greatly reduce your yeild. You are better off to spray too early than too late. Usually winter wheat will yeild better than spring wheat. I encourage you to talk to your local agronomist about what grows well in your area. I don't know if any of this helps, but I thought I would say my peice.

dmiller · Oct 22, 2013

Get on you-tube and search for "wheat school". Very informative series of videos from one of the universities in Canada.
Also I've learned a lot from the AgPhD series, though often they are almost too basic of information.

oj · Oct 23, 2013

Your best bet might be to try some feed wheat,
(soft wheat), it is mostly used for animal feed,so
any feed mill should be interested. Like some of
the others say, find out where you can sell
anything you grow before you seed anything,
growing small grains is the easy part.

Rye seems to do a little better on light sandy
soils than wheat, and if you neighbour grows it
ask him how/where he sells, then call them and
talk to a grain buyer there.

JMS/.MN · Oct 23, 2013

Winter wheat would normally be planted in September, harvested earlier than Spring wheat. "Inherited" it once on a newly rented farm in the 70s......no other experience with it. Barley is a good alternative grain crop that has increased in acreage. Not much oats raised anymore. Barley combines easier than oats, has a density similar to wheat, so easier to keep in the combine.

GordoSD · Nov 14, 2013

You would learn a lot more , a lot faster than a forum if you went down to your local ASCS office, used the USDA website, used your state Ag college information. All of those offices spend millions producing info for growers.
Then neighbors that plant grains. Look for the ones with nice fields and modern equipment.

Small grain for dummies

schriffs

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Anonymous-0

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dmiller

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oj

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JMS/.MN

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GordoSD

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