Kentucky Small Grain News

What's Happening?

Support Wheat Growers Education Efforts Through the SWHEATstakes Fundraiser

Join us and the Montana Grain Growers in the sWHEATstakes fundraiser to support the National Wheat Foundation and their charitable and educational efforts such as scholarships, leadership programs, outreach programs, and research programs. To purchase a ticket, contact Bernard Peterson at bernardp@peterson-farms.com or call/text at 502-827-1905. Bernard is the Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation.

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Jennifer Elwell
Wheat Industry Applauds Senate American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) today thank Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Sen. Pete Rickets (R-NE) for the introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 in the U.S. Senate. The bi-partisan legislation would restore the original intent of the Food for Peace program without spending additional Farm Bill resources, all while also safeguarding the interests of hard-working American farmers in providing food to those in need around the world.

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PolicyJennifer Elwell
2023 Kentucky Wheat Yield Contest Breaks Records

We have a new highest overall yield reported in the contest at 143.42 bushels per acre. This 2023 No-Till State Champion wheat entry from Jason Crisp in McLean County followed soybeans. Camron, Clay and Mark Wells in Union County reported the second-highest overall yield ever at 139.64 bushels per acre with the 2023 Tillage State Champion. The Wells Brothers also reported the third-highest yield ever at 135.80 bushels per acre. The previous highest yield ever reported (now 4th highest ever) was from Keith Hendrickson in Union County in 2015 with 134.27 bushels per acre. That was followed by the 2022 state champion, S & J Emmick in Hancock County at 132.68 bushels per acre.   

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University of Kentucky Launches New Crop Variety Testing Site

The University of Kentucky Wheat and Small Grains Variety Testing Program evaluates wheat and small grain (barley, cereal rye, oats, triticale, ancient grains) varieties that are commercially available or may soon be available to farmers. Annual variety performance testing provide farmers, seed producers, extension agents and consultants with current, unbiased information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.

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2023 May WASDE Update: Yield is King

Current projections predict a record U.S. corn and soybean crop during the 2023/24 marketing year. Although yield estimates can change drastically with growing season weather, the projections indicate a smaller gross revenue per acre in 2023/24 compared to 2022/23 due to lower price expectations. As winter wheat is approaching the end of the growing season, more information is known. Despite the drought in the west and lower yields, total production is still expected to be larger than last year due to increased wheat acreage. Wheat markets are still fluctuating due to geopolitical conflicts, but current projections indicate that the average gross revenue per acre of wheat will also decline compared to 2022/23.

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Jennifer Elwell