Prairie Grains Magazine Nov/Dec 2024 by mnwheat

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Now’s the Time. Boldly Grow. Seize the Season.

Prairie Grains Prairie Grains

November-December 2024 | Issue 202

Cover Story

Every year, farmers are inundated with difficult decisions, including variety selection. In this yearly special edition of Prairie Grains, the 2024 Variety Trial results are in, giving readers an in-depth look at the wheat variety leaderboard from public and private researchers. 2 1 3 4 5 05 08 12 18 20

PUBLISHER AND CIRCULATION

Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers

2600 Wheat Drive • Red Lake Falls, MN 56750

218.253.4311 • Email: mnwheat@mnwheat.com Web: www.mnwheat.org

EDITORIAL

Doug Monson, Sr. Director of Integrated Marketing Ag Management Solutions

Ph. 507.995.7534

Email: dmonson@agmgmtsolutions.com

Sydney Harris, Ag Management Solutions

Ph: 218.689.5091

Email: sharris@agmgmtsolutions.com

CONTENT EDITORS

Drew Lyon, Ag Management Solutions 1020 Innovation Lane • Mankato, MN 56001

Ph: 507.388.1635

Email: dlyon@agmgmtsolutions.com

Katelyn Engquist, Ag Management Solutions

Ph: 507.508.1540

Email: kengquist@agmgmtsolutions.com

Taming the Bulls & Bears: Asking for a friend

MAWG seeking new directors for 2025

Wheat’s wild ride

By the book(keeping)

Prairie Grains Conference 2024 preview

ART DIRECTORS

Kaelyn Rahe, Ag Management Solutions Ph: 507.388.1635 Email: krahe@agmgmtsolutions.com

Alex Troska, Ag Management Solutions Ph: 952.334.2539 Email: atroska@agmgmtsolutions.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Erin Rossow, Ag Management Solutions 1020 Innovation Lane • Mankato, MN 56001

Ph: 507.902.9191

Email: erin.rossow@agmgmtsolutions.com

ABOUT PRAIRIE GRAINS

Prairie Grains magazine is published six times annually and delivered free of charge to members of these grower associations, and to spring wheat and barley producers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. To subscribe or change address, please write or call our circulation department.

OUR PARTNERS

Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers and Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council 2600 Wheat Drive • Red Lake Falls, MN 56750 218.253.4311 • Email: mnwheat@mnwheat.com Web: www.mnwheat.org

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Montana Grain Growers Association P.O. Box 1165 • Great Falls, MT 59403 • 406.761.4596 • Email: erobinson@mgga.org • Web: www.mgga.org

Northland Community and Technical College 1101 Highway One East • Thief River Falls, MN 56701 218.683.8800 • Email: ron.dvergsten@northlandcollege.edu Web: www.northlandcollege.edu

What, me worry?

Most things I worry about never happen anyway,” the late songwriter Tom Petty once sang. I’m sure some of us can relate to those lyrics. I know I do.

With the backdrop of low commodity prices, for many of us the 2024 growing season was a whirlwind of worries. Dry, then cool and wet; hail damage took out a large portion of my crop, a stark reminder of the importance of crop insurance. In all my years of farming, I can’t recall a season like this. Yet by September, when many of my fellow producers were wondering if they were going to haul in a decent crop, lo and behold many of our worries never came to pass – until the next one came around. In farming, though it often doesn’t seem this way, things have a way of working out in the end.

As one of Minnesota’s two representatives on the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), we’ve been working hard this fall (and, really, the past two years) to make sure a new Farm Bill works out for agriculture in the end. This harvest, I joined colleagues from across several commodities for an unprecedented all-hands-on-deck effort to urge federal legislators to pass a new Farm Bill. You’ve read this in the pages of Prairie Grains for over a year now: We need a

new Farm Bill, pronto! I’m going to end 2024 on an optimistic note and cross my fingers that both parties come together to protect the American farmer heading into 2025. Here’s to hoping our worst fears don’t come to fruition.

I understand that many farmers have many legitimate worries as we look toward a new year. The ag economy is on a downward trend and there are many unknowns following the recent election. That’s why I encourage any farm families out there to seek help if you’re living with depression or struggling with stress and/or isolation. The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7 resource for farmers, agricultural workers and their families. Call the hotline 833-600-2670 or text FARMSTRESS to 898211.

Ruralminds.org is another vital source for more resources to help us take care of our mental health in rural America. Remember, you are not alone! Serving on boards like NAWG, the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers and Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council has

enriched not just my community and livelihood, but my social life. Joining a board means forging lifelong friendships with like-minded folks from across the country. Becoming a MAWG director means joining a team that represents our industry when important policy decisions are being discussed. But it’s also a chance to build connections with peers – and share a few laughs between meetings. Read Managing Editor Sydney Harris’ piece (page 8) on MAWG’s open board spots and how we’ve been a key policy player in agriculture advocacy for 50 years.

Want to learn more about Minnesota Wheat, our industry partners and the outlook for 2025? I know just the place: the 2024 Prairie Grains Conference! Our two-day conference and trade show returns Dec. 11-12 to the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. Let’s put our worries aside for a few days, swap stories, talk about the weather and work together to keep moving agriculture on the right path.

Kevin Leiser farms in Fertile, Minn., and serves as president of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers.

Asking for a friend

My busy winter season of farm business management has begun. We begin by reviewing financials for 2024 and making plans for 2025. When times are good, farmers are a little slow to come in. There is no rush to get anything done when the finances are strong. When prices are low and cash is tight, there’s a little more urgency to get things done. This year, the phone calls started coming before harvest was even over. The low prices and high input costs are causing a few hiccups in the cash flow. If refinancing is needed, it is always better to start working on it sooner rather than later.

I love my farm management job because it is a daily reminder of everything I can do better on my own farm. It is much easier to talk about decision making on someone else’s farm. We can create cash flows for different scenarios, look at financial ratios and make educated decisions. When I can rely on numbers and data instead of emotions, the decisions are much easier. I need to step back from my own finances and think of my farm in the third person. If this was someone else’s farm, would I make the same decision? Asking for a friend: Is this a good decision?

I turn to my farm management colleagues for advice quite often. There are times when I am just too emotionally involved to make a rational decision. Decisions can involve big dollars and big

Betsy Jensen is a Farm Business Management Instructor at Northland Community and Technical College. Follow her on X at @jensenbetsyr.

farm changes. For example, if a farm has an opportunity to add acres, it must be a good financial and family decision.

Think of a beginning farmer who also has an off-farm job. They have an opportunity for more acres, but it would require them to give up the stability of their off-farm job. I run this scenario several times a year. It is not an easy decision, but having numbers to support your plan provides some reassurance.

This year, as you make decisions about crop marketing, inputs, capital purchases and transition planning, step back and pretend you are making this decision for someone else. If you could add this decision to your journal, would you want your grandkids to read it? Would you advise someone else to make this decision?

I wish I could write a rule book about farming, full of “thou must never” and “thou must always” statements, but each year is different, and every farm is unique. There is not a rule that gives us a perfect size, perfect crop and livestock combination, and perfect age of the farmer.

Grab a pen and paper and write down a few keys to success that you have found on your farm. What do you think has made you successful, and what changes could make you more successful? Please look only at your farm, and not at the neighbors. Farm success is not always visible from the road so do not make

assumptions about success or failure.

I hope crop marketing strategies are one key to success on your farm, and something that can probably be improved. In my area, we had quite a bit of low protein and low-quality spring wheat. I know farmers are going to have it on their balance sheets, and some may hold it for over a year with the hope of smaller discounts.

Holding the grain could work but make sure to check your interest cost per month. Holding grain is expensive. Holding unpriced grain could be even more expensive. There is always the opportunity to price the futures for delivery a year from now. That eliminates some of the risk.

As you think about holding 2024 grain, and pricing 2025 grain, pretend you are asking for a friend. Would you advise them to hold that much crop unpriced? Would you recommend pricing some 2025 since they have already bought fertilizer? Can you explain and justify your decisions to a farm management instructor?

I am going to pretend I am explaining my decisions to a coworker. And I am going to pick the judgmental coworkers who will roll their eyes, raise their hand and say “Stop. Try again Betsy. You know that doesn’t make sense.” It is nice to have coworkers to put me in my place. Asking for a friend: Is this a good decision?

Specializing in soil health: Meet Greg Klinger

Greg Klinger might be the newest Area Certification Specialist (ACS) supporting the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), but he’s hardly a newcomer to sustainable agriculture practices.

A Virginia native, Klinger moved to Minnesota about a decade ago and became an Extension climate and water quality educator with the University of Minnesota. In early 2023, he became an agricultural water quality specialist with Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District. In his role, Klinger oversees 11 counties in southeast Minnesota and works with farmers to become MAWQCP certified.

“I come at this position with a background in research and outreach,” he said. “It’s always good and enjoyable to put that knowledge to use at the scale where it’s most valuable, which is that one-on-one farm interaction.”

Klinger’s position allows him to combine his passion for soil health with making meaningful connections with farmers.

“I just like people,” he said. “It’s fun to sit down and talk with people and see their farm operations and the diversity of operations and also landscapes. The diversity of landscape is just incredible in southeast Minnesota.”

When a producer volunteers to become MAWQCP certified, they’re connected with their regional ACS, who helps guide them through the enrollment steps. The ACS first collects information on the operation and then starts the evaluation process. In total, MAWQCP supports eight certification specialists across Minnesota, in addition to a team of certifying agents.

For Klinger, initially meeting with a producer is a chance to talk shop at the kitchen table and learn more

about their operation and conservation goals.

“We’re there to give them peace of mind that, yes, what they’re doing is good for conservation,” he said.

During enrollment, Klinger runs the operation through the MAWQCP assessment tool, which evaluates:

• Physical field characteristics

• Nutrient management factors

• Tillage management factors

• Pest management practices

• Irrigation and tile drainage management

• Conservation practices

Once a farmer applies for MAWQCP certification, an ACS helps complete a series of steps using a 100% sitespecific risk-assessment process. Specialists like Klinger can also help farmers apply for financial assistance and MAWQCP’s Climate Smart Project.

Klinger says he enjoys uncovering slight – but not wholesale – changes growers can make to improve their soil health and save production costs.

“We’re trying to get a good snapshot of erosion risks and at what stage they’re in,” Klinger said. “At the end, we go over the results and make sure the farmers are meeting the risk thresholds and conservation practices. It’s a good framework to get a fair scoring system, regardless of the size of the operation.”

Since the program’s statewide launch a decade ago, 1,544 producers totaling over 1,082,908 acres have been certified across Minnesota. Those farms have added nearly 3,000 new conservation practices. New practices have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 50,000 metric tons annually and kept over 49,000 tons of sediment out of Minnesota rivers while saving 150,000 tons of soil and 62,000 pounds of phosphorous on farms each year. The conservation practices have also reduced nitrogen loss by up to 49%.

After becoming certified, farmers receive a 10-year contract ensuring they will be considered in compliance with any new water quality laws, along with an official MAWQCP sign to display on their farm and other benefits. To date, nearly 400 farms in Klinger’s territory are enrolled in MAWQCP.

“You can tell there’s quite a bit of engagement,” he said. “This is a good, flexible program at the right scale that still gets at the important information.”

Farmers and landowners interested in enrolling in MAWQCP can contact their local SWCD or visit MyLandMyLegacy.com. If you farm in southeast Minnesota, contact Greg Klinger at gregory.klinger@ olmstedcounty.gov or by calling 507-328-7924.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of getting out and meeting with farmers,” he said. “It’s really rewarding to spend part of my day connecting with people who are implementing conservation on the landscape.”

Greg Klinger of Olmsted County is one of eight area certification specialists covering the state of Minnesota on behalf of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.

by Sydney Harris

MAWG NEW FOR SEEKING DIRECTORS 2025

It’s election season for the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers (MAWG).

Now, more than ever as the organization marks its 50th year of operation in 2025, MAWG needs strong leaders at its helm to keep the ship steady amid a tumultuous political climate.

“When there are important issues, in this part of the country, the wheat growers have led the fight on quite a few issues,” MAWG President Kevin Leiser said. “MAWG is talking to the people voting on the issues that directly and indirectly impact Minnesota wheat growers.”

Since 1975, MAWG has represented Minnesota wheat producers in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. With two seats in District 1 and two at-large positions on the election ballot, MAWG is positioned to ensure wheat producers are represented at the legislative table.

MAWG First Vice President Austen Germolus, and Director Erik Younggren, who represents District 1, are seeking reelection. An at-large director spot is available.

MAWG Second Vice President Justin Osowski isn’t pursuing reelection for his District 1 seat, and with a vacant at-large position, there are multiple

opportunities for producers to become engaged in advocacy.

“I think that growers need to be involved in the rules that they operate under and in the decisionmaking process and advocating for rules and policies that are beneficial to farmers and to the industry,” said Younggren, who grows wheat, sugarbeets, soybeans and canola near Hallock.

A total of seven Minnesota wheat producers serve on MAWG’s board of directors: two represent District 1, two represent District 2 and three atlarge directors serve the entire state. Directors serve three-year terms on the board with a term limitation of three consecutive three-year terms.

Helping wheat thrive

As a veteran MAWG director, Younggren knows that many hands make light work and recognizes the value of working side by side with national organizations, as well as other commodity groups.

“It’s important to work together,” said Younggren, who served as president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) from 2012-2013. “You may have different points of view but as an industry, we need to come together on policies and rules that we can agree

on. If we don’t come up with what we want, somebody else will make the rules for us.”

Germolus – who grows wheat, soybeans, corn and barley near Ada –isn’t afraid to jump into the fray and have frank conversations with the state and federal legislators who are making policy decisions.

“MAWG is a great organization that really cares about wheat as a commodity, and as a wheat grower, I want to continue to support our industry and see it thrive in Minnesota,” Germolus said. “It’s important to have an organization that advocates for the growers in the state.”

According to the USDA NASS Small Grains Summary, Minnesota produced roughly 80 million bushels of spring wheat in 2024, which is a three-percent increase from 2023. However, winter wheat tends to steal the spotlight, representing nearly 70 percent of total U.S. wheat production.

“MAWG works closely with NAWG to ensure we have a seat at the table

so that spring wheat can get just as much of a market share as winter wheat,” Germolus said. “Because of MAWG, we have a voice in the wheat industry.”

With six board meetings per year held in Red Lake Falls, MAWG directors are also encouraged to attend and participate in MAWG’s annual convention in December during the Prairie Grains Conference, as well as NAWG meetings. Because MAWG firmly believes that the farm

and family come first, outside of regular board meetings, director time commitment is up to individual board members. However, there have been instances when pressing issues arise, and prospective board directors are encouraged to be flexible and active.

At the root of all MAWG does is advocacy. MAWG directors are encouraged to attend lobbying trips to Washington, D.C., and St. Paul.

“My favorite part is meeting with the legislators and realizing that, yes, they’re important people, but they’re normal people just like you and me,” Leiser said. “You actually get to be there and have your say to somebody that can make a vote on an issue.”

Board members volunteer their time to serve Minnesota’s wheat growers, however, their travel related expenses are covered by MAWG. Additionally, they build valuable relationships with growers across the state and country.

“You get to meet a lot of new people and learn about how different operations work,” Leiser said. “It’s a learning experience. It doesn’t hurt to learn something new every day.”

Through it all – the ups and the downs – MAWG is there for Minnesota wheat producers.

“MAWG is truly a grassroots policy organization,” Younggren said. “We’re responsive to what the growers want and need and we’re quite effective in being able to lobby for policies and getting things that are agreeable to wheat growers.”

MAWG directors have myriad opportunities to participate in legislative visits.

There’s a new top dog in weed control.

Put a leash on kochia, foxtails, barnyardgrass, resistant waterhemp, wild buckwheat and mustards. Tolvera™ herbicide features two modes of action — bromoxynil and tolpyralate, an active ingredient new to the cereals market — to help combat weed resistance while providing flexibility in application timing and crop rotation.

Researchers make sense of a roller coaster of a growing season

No one ever said a career in farming would be boring. And the 2024 growing season was far from boring - Minnesota wheat producers are still recovering from the whiplash.

“It was a wild ride,” said Jochum Wiersma, a small grains specialist with the University of Minnesota.

After three years of Minnesota producers doing rain dances in their fields, the skies finally opened in April and May and gave them what they wanted – and then some. According to the USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Update, “it was the 15th wettest spring since 1895. … Wetter springs have occurred only four times since the beginning of the 21st century: in 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2019.”

“We had three distinct planting windows,” Wiersma said. “Some got everything planted before April 15. The second window was the last week of April and then there was about a two-week gap before the third window opened up.”

With no rest for the weary, it didn’t take long before problems started cropping up.

“I started seeing scab almost right away in the winter wheat in southern Minnesota by the middle of June, which made me uneasy,” Wiersma said. “I didn’t think conditions had been that favorable because up to that point it had been a little bit cooler than Fusarium graminearium, the fungus that causes scab, likes. But as it got warmer and stayed wet, the risk map kept showing moderate to high risk.”

Ups and downs

Diseases thrive in warm, humid environments, which is exactly what Mother Nature had on the menu. Luckily, growers have tools in their toolbox to help weaken disease’s foothold.

“Everyone that I know of used fungicides,” Wiersma said. “It was probably the most widespread use of fungicides and a lot of them used top-end products, not skimping on input costs.”

The conditions may not have been ideal for Minnesota wheat growers, but Jim Anderson, a University of Minnesota wheat breeder, wasn’t complaining.

“It was a very good year for data collection,” Anderson said. “We had plenty of moisture everywhere, too much in some areas. As a breeder, that’s not necessarily a bad thing because we don’t fungicide treat most of our trials. We get diseases out there and let them develop. Then, we rate the varieties based on their response to the various diseases observed.”

Which diseases reared their ugly heads?

“We got some bacterial leaf streak, some tan spot, stem rust and stripe rust,” Anderson said. “There were some diseases that we don’t get a chance to rate very often, and with all the new varieties out there, it was good information for us to gather this year.”

Then came along harvest.

“When people started combining, they started having problems with DON right away and elevators started testing everything,” Wiersma said. “It’s a very powerful toxin that kills plant tissue.”

DON is short for deoxynivalenol and is commonly referred to as vom or vomitoxin; the toxin is produced by Fusarium graminearium, according to North Dakota State University Extension. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has established DON advisory levels; human food products are restricted to one parts per million, though grain with DON would have to be ingested in very high amounts to pose a health risk but it can affect flavors in foods and processing performance.

“The reason you and I don’t want to eat it is because if

you ingest too much, you will puke your guts out, hence the name – vomitoxin,” Wiersma said. “Anything above two parts per million the elevators start discounting and any load above four parts per million will likely get rejected in years with widespread FHB because they can’t blend it away. Now that we have the whole season done, there is way more wheat with DON concentrations between 5 and 10 ppm, which is a serious issue for trade.”

Unfortunately, DON problems paled in comparison to what was to come.

“It started raining on Aug. 13 and by Aug. 18, people were already back in the field because it had been hot and humid,” Wiersma said. “Right away, I started getting calls that their falling numbers were below 200.”

A measurement of the amount of pre-harvest sprouting, the Hagberg falling numbers test is when “a flour and water slurry is made from a ground wheat sample and placed in a test tube. A plunger is dropped into the slurry and the time it takes to reach the bottom is measured.”

“Low falling numbers occur because the wheat is sprouting,” Wiersma said. “The enzymes that play a role in germination have been activated and are breaking down the starch in the endosperm into simple sugars.”

Because of low falling numbers, some producers had no choice but to sell their wheat as feed wheat.

“I’ve never seen wheat sprout that quickly in the field,” Wiersma said. “It didn’t matter what the variety was.”

Though there were hurdles, the 2024 growing season wasn’t all doom and gloom.

“We hit a new state average record – 68.5 bushels per acre,” Wiersma said. “The previous record was set in 2017 at 67 bushels per acre.”

The roller coaster ride of the 2024 growing season has come to an end. Minnesota wheat growers may still feel queasy and unsteady on their feet. But by spring 2025, they’ll be ready to strap back in and 2024 will be a distant memory.

“Next year is going to be a new slate,” Wiersma said.

The Voice of

Minnesota Agriculture

The mission of Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is to ensure Minnesota’s agricultural vitality. By engaging members, advocating at the grassroots level and spreading awareness about agriculture, we support farmers and ranchers.

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

2025 LEAP Conference January 10-11, 2025

Day on the Hill March 18, 2025

Ag Day Gala March 18, 2025

County Level Outreach

Virtual Networking Calls

HISTORY LESSONS

Feikema Farms’ soil health journey is the subject of a documentary, “From the Heartland,” which is available to stream on YouTube.

Established in 1982, the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is the technical advisor for the Farmers for Soil Health Program in MN, WI and SD. CTIC promotes the widespread use of economically and environmentally beneficial agricultural systems. Learn more at ctic.org or by viewing the organization’s X, LinkedIn or Facebook page.

MN farm weathers storms through soil health practices

In 2014, Feikema Farms endured what they hoped was a once-in-ageneration weather calamity when their southern Minnesota farming operation was deluged with nearly a foot of rain. The 2014 event catalyzed the Feikemas – whose third-generation farm has been in operation since 1950 – to rethink their entire operation by adopting no-till practices and planting cover crops to prevent further soil erosion.

“That was really the deciding factor when we decided we needed to do something different, and we were able to see an almost immediate effect with the reduction in erosion,” said Becky Feikema, who raises soybeans, corn and small grains with her family.

Over time, Feikema Farms saw improved soil structure and less compaction.

“The soil handled our equipment better – it didn’t sink in,” she said. “All those factors were reasons to

keep moving forward with it.”

Nearly 10 years to the day, history repeated itself in June 2024 when more than a foot of rain drenched their farm in Luverne. Surveying the damage, the Feikemas’ worst fears never came to pass. Thanks to their forward-thinking conservation practices that led to enrollment in the Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) program, Feikema Farms withstood Mother Nature’s wrath.

“We were pleasantly impressed and surprised that everything that we’ve been doing was working,” Feikema said. “We did not see the washing or the erosion that we had seen a decade ago, so that was pretty rewarding that we could see the progress that we made.”

Revenue-generator

FSH is a collaboration led by the soy checkoff, National Corn Growers Association and the pork checkoff, along with USDA, the National

Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other key partners. Farmer-led and farmer-driven, the program incentivizes the use of sustainable soil health practices like cover crops to improve farmer profitability and promote climate-smart practices.

“It’s another revenue source for us,” Feikema said. “Just being able to maximize the revenue generated on each acre is definitely a benefit.”

Since becoming an FSH technical advisor in 2023, the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) has promoted cover crops through exhibiting at farm shows across the Midwest and virtual webinars. In January 2024, Becky Feikema participated in a CTIC webinar and contacted Soil Health Specialist Dan Coffman to learn more about the enrollment process. Feikema said Coffman was responsive and helped simplify the enrollment steps.

“With this being a new program Dan really helped us go through any changes and helped us get everything submitted,” Feikema said. “He’s great to work with.”

CTIC is reminding farmers that they can also apply for FSH benefits retroactively. Cover crop enrollment for 2024 remains open into March 2025, and enrollment for 2025 is also expected to open in March 2025.

“If you didn’t sign up, you haven’t lost out,” Coffman said. “You still have time to earn those incentives.”

In addition to limiting soil erosion, cover crops are also improving weed suppression, preventing nutrient runoff, sequestering carbon and providing forage for livestock.

“It’s a continual learning process, and we’re kind of excited by that,” Feikema said. “We’re always looking to see what else can we do? What can we try?”

Since FSH’s launch in 2023, Minnesota farmers currently have the fourth-highest number of enrolled acres among the 20 states participating in FSH, which aims to expand cover crops across the U.S. to 30 million acres by 2030. With support from General Mills, CTIC has added three cover crop coaches in both Minnesota and South Dakota, farmers with years of cover crop experience who provide mentoring to farmers and technical assistance to soil health specialists.

WE TRY TO WORK COVER CROPS INTO EVERYTHING. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO TRY NEW THINGS AND TO SEE WHAT WORKS.

-Minnesota Farmer Becky Feikema

Cover crops – most often winter cereal rye – in Minnesota have increased by 30% since 2017, totaling more than 760,000 acres across the state, according to the USDA. In South Dakota, cover crop acreage has more than doubled since 2012. Feikema Farms has done its part over nearly a decade by planting cover crops on about 90% of its 7,000 acres and started a multispecies mix into its rotation about four years ago.

“We try to work cover crops into everything,” Feikema said. “We are always looking to try new things and to see what works.”

In a weather reversal from June, the growing season in southwest Minnesota was capped by the driest stretch of fall weather in over a century. Still, Feikema Farms was pleased with its 2024 harvest.

“We saw that even though it dried out, we feel like we had some good water holding capacity there,” Becky said. “We’re seeing some resilience to those (weather) extremes.”

Minnesota farmers can follow the Feikemas’ lead and learn more by visiting farmersforsoilhealth.com/.

“Becky and her family are tremendous advocates for conservation,” Coffman said. “We’re proud to work with them and promote soil health.”

Farmers for Soil Health Program Details

• 2024 enrollment remains open at farmersforsoilhealth.com/

• Enrollment is flexible, easy and takes less than an hour to enroll. Farmers can self-enroll remotely but are encouraged to seek out a soil health specialist

• Program is a 3-year commitment

• Currently, any crop fields with corn and soy in the rotation are eligible for transition incentives totaling $50 per new acre of cover crops across three years

• Signing incentives of $2 per acre are available for existing cover crops on corn and soybean fields

by Sydney Harris

( (Experts offer advice on how farmers can simplify accounting

Giving farmers the choice of sitting in a tractor or sitting behind a desk really isn’t much of a choice. Most wouldn’t hesitate before running toward the tractor.

But farms are businesses, and bookwork is a necessary evil of running a successful farming operation.

Though technology has made recordkeeping easier, it still comes with its challenges. One of those challenges is selecting a software program.

“I don’t know that there is a perfect program out there,” said Betsy Jensen, a Farm Business Management instructor and Prairie Grains columnist. “You just have to do what gets you through it.”

It’s no secret that every farm operation is unique and bookkeeping systems are not one-size-fitsall for that very reason. With endless features and various price points to consider, it’s important for growers to think critically about why they’re keeping their books before they invest in a program.

“Sometimes farmers don’t want to put in any time at all on their books – they want to do the minimum that will keep their accountant happy,” Jensen said. “Others want to use their books as a management tool.”

Programs can get fancy quickly but sometimes simple is better.

“Most of the time when we see problems, it’s because somebody didn’t know how to use the software,” said Bill Gordon, a Minnesota farmer and owner of Worthington Tax and Business Services. “Don’t buy a program any more complicated than you must. Keep it as simple as possible.”

Farm Management Analyst Kent Thiesse adds that it’s vital to be able to take full advantage of the software’s capabilities, regardless of its complexity.

“It doesn’t do any good to have a fancy accounting system that no one understands,” Thiesse said. “Make sure there is a person in your operation that knows how to input everything properly and how to access and analyze the information.”

At the bare minimum, Jensen encourages producers to opt for a program that allows for reconciliation.

“If you don’t have the ability to reconcile your checkbook through your bookkeeping system, then it’s a bad bookkeeping system,” Jensen said. “I will go down to my grave saying that Excel is not a bookkeeping system. I don’t care how fancy your spreadsheet is, under no circumstances should a farmer be using Excel.”

Software, simplified

For growers who want to keep it on the simple side, Jensen recommends Quicken.

“The easiest program for a lot of farmers is Quicken,” said Jensen, who farms near Stephen. “You can download it right from the bank and it keeps track of all of the cash transactions.”

As an operation’s books become more complicated, growers have to upgrade their bookkeeping systems to programs that have more functionalities, especially if payroll capabilities are needed. Options include QuickBooks, PcMars and Sage, just to name a few.

“PcMars is pretty popular for farm software,” Jensen said. “I’ve actually looked into it pretty heavily for our own farm because I’m not thrilled with the changes coming to QuickBooks. It’s not a fancy program but it’s cheap and does everything you want it to do.”

The changes to QuickBooks that Jensen isn’t thrilled about? QuickBooks Desktop is being phased out and users will gradually need to switch to QuickBooks Online unless they choose another software.

“At one point, I switched to QuickBooks Online and my accountant and I refer to it as the year we’re not going to talk about ever again,” Jensen said. “It was not good.”

Gordon echoes Jensen’s concerns with QuickBooks Online.

“QuickBooks Online is at best difficult to navigate,” said Gordon, who farms in Worthington. “It really doesn’t have agriculture in mind. I wouldn’t steer someone away from online QuickBooks, but they better tell me that they’re very computer savvy.”

Growers who need payroll services add another layer to their books.

“If you have payroll, you need to upgrade your software,” Jensen said. “Honestly, a lot of guys don’t want to do their own payroll because they screw it up. So, they send their hours off to their accountant and their accountant does the payroll for them. But there are also standalone payroll programs out there or you can upgrade your current program.”

Figuring out payroll can be tricky and the consequences for making errors are hefty. Therefore, Gordon advises weighing the pros and cons of outsourcing the service.

“People think they have to do it all themselves,” said Gordon, a past president of the American Soybean Association. “I don’t do all my veterinary services by myself –I hire a vet. When it comes to payroll, definitely consider the cost of the payroll software and the time it’s going to take you to do it compared to what a professional would charge you.”

At the end of the day, wheat farmers are experts in the field and there are experts in numbers who can help guide growers, such as accountants or ag bankers.

“If you aren’t sure what you need, use your professional resources,” Thiesse said. “Whether it’s a Farm Business Management advisor, private management firm, ag lender or tax preparer, those are the main people that are going to use that data so find out what information they need. And they’ll have a good handle on which accounting programs will fit those needs.”

Kent Thiesse is a longtime farm management analyst who has advised growers through good and bad times in agriculture.

December 11-12, 2024 Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

Thursday Keynote Speakers

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Exhibitors:

21st Century Genetics

A & S Ag Sales

AgCountry Farm Credit Services

Agassiz Seed

Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

AgriPro/Syngenta

Anchor Ingredients

Anheuser-Busch

BASF

Bayer CropScience

Bremer Bank

Bunge

Cargill, Inc

Century Builders, LLC

CHS

CHS Sunflower

Corteva Agriscience

Corteva Biologicals

Dakota Ingredients

Dakota Rev

Duluth Seaway Port Authority

Eastman

Ellingson Companies

Farm Bureau Financial Services

GK Technology Inc.

Hefty Seed Company

Helena Agri-Enterprises

KQLX/Ag News 890

Limagrain Cereal Seeds

Meridian Seeds

Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center

Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom

Minnesota Crop Improvement Assn

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Minnesota Farm Bureau

Minnesota Farmers Union

Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council

MN Agricultural Water Quality

Certification Program

ND Crop Improvement & Seed Assn

Northern Crops Institute

Northland Community and Technical College

Nutrien Ag Solutions

Ohnstad Twichell, P.C.

Pifers Auction & Realty and Land Mgmt

Pioneer Hi-Bred International

Plant Power Agriculture

Purple Wave Auction

Red River Farm Network

Red River Retention Authority

Red River Watershed Mgmt Board

Rinke Noonan

Rivard’s Turf & Forage

Spray Advantage

Spraytec Fertilizers

Stine Seed

Syngenta Crop Protection

Tenacity Ag

Thunder Seed

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

West Central Ag Services

WestBred

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 11th

ND Crop Improvement Meeting - Eastern Regional

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

North Dakota Barley Council County Rep Meeting

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

ND Certified Crop Adviser Annual Meeting

10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Red River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Work Group

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Minnesota Wheat Research Committee

12:00 p.m. Lunch

(guaranteed for those registered prior to Nov. 25, 2024)

1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

MN & ND Malting Barley Program

1:30 p.m. Welcome

Ryan Hough, MN Barley & Nathan Boll, ND Barley

1:35 p.m. Barley Variety Selections

Dr. Rich Horsley, NDSU Barley Breeder

2:00 p.m. U.S. Beer Markets

Andrew Heritage, Chief Economist, U.S. Beer Institute, Washington, DC

2:30 p.m. Pet Food Market

Tony Rosing, Anchor Ingredients

3:00 p.m. Malting Barley Market

Mark Black, Malteurop, Great Falls, MT

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

MAWG Resolutions Committee Meeting

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Minnesota Soybean Growers County Association Meeting

4:00 p.m.

21st Century Genetics Meeting

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

North Dakota Grain Growers Annual Meeting

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

MN Assn of Wheat Growers & MN Barley Growers

Assn Annual Business Meeting

Social, Banquet, and Live Auction

5:15 p.m. Social – Hors d’oeuvres & Refreshments

6:15 p.m. Welcome and Banquet

7:15 p.m. Recognition and Awards

7:30 p.m. Concluding Remarks, Hospitality and Live Auction

Hospitality hosted by:

Wednesday, December 11th

6:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast

7:00 a.m. Wheat & Soybean Research Reporting Sessions - see next page

8:00 a.m. Exhibit Hall opens

8:50 a.m. Break in Exhibit Hall

8:55 a.m. Welcome

9:10 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

GENERAL SESSION

Kelly Armstrong, U.S. House of Representatives (ND)

Market Trends in Ag

Jay Debertin

President and Chief Executive Officer, CHS

Hear about the state of agriculture and energy supply chains as well as what’s ahead for 2025, including factors influencing grain, fertilizer and fuel prices and how this impacts the state of ag.

Now What? 2025 Crop Market Outlook

Frayne Olson

Crop Economist/Marketing Specialist, North Dakota State University Extenion

This session will review the current supply and demand conditions for U.S. and global corn, soybean and wheat markets. It will also provide an outlook for future price direction.

10:45 a.m. Break in Exhibit Hall

11:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions - see next page

12:00 p.m. Lunch & Visit Exhibit Hall

GENERAL SESSION

1:00 p.m. El Niño and the 2025 Growing Season

Daryl Ritchison

Director of the ND Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) and ND State Climatologist, NDSU

La Niña or at least cold neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean should last through at least next spring. That change in combination with other factors should bring with it a new weather pattern for 2025.

Daryl will discuss what type of changes he foresees for the next growing season. In addition, he will fill us in on the latest news on NDAWN’s expansion into Minnesota in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

2:00 p.m. Break in Exhibit Hall

2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions - see next page

3:15 p.m. Visit Exhibit Hall

3:45 p.m. Conference Closes

Thursday, December 12th

Wheat Reporting Session

6:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast Sponsored by MN Wheat check-off

7:00 a.m. 15 Years of Research on Bacterial Leaf Streak of Wheat: Past Progress and Future Directions – Dr. Rebecca Curland, Researcher 6, Department of Plant Pathology, U of MN

7:20 a.m. Breeding to Boost Seed-Filling and Increase Minnesota Wheat Yields – Dr. Walid Sadok, Associate Professor, Crop Physiology, U of MN

7:40 a.m. Progress, Pitfalls, and Prospects Associated with Breeding HRSW for Disease Resistance – Dr. Karl Glover, Professor, SDSU HRSW Breeder

8:00 a.m. Managing Cereal Leaf Beetle, a New Threat to Wheat Production in Northwest Minnesota – Dr. Anthony Hanson, Regional Extension Educator & Assistant Extension Professor, U of MN Extension

8:20 a.m. 2024 Hard Red Spring Wheat Crop Quality Survey – Dr. Shahidul Islam, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University

Soybean Reporting Session

6:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast Sponsored by MN Soybean check-off

7:00 a.m. Industry Comparison of Agronomic Soybean Inputs – Andrew Lueck, Owner/Manager, and Jenna Whitmore, Field Research Manager, Next Gen Ag, LLC

7:20 a.m. Starter Fertilizer in Soybean?

– Dr. Lindsay Pease, Nutrient Management Specialist, U of MN

7:40 a.m. Northwest MN Soybean Research Grab Bag – Dr. Angie Peltier, Extension Educator - Crops, U of MN

8:00 a.m. Genetic and Architecture Considerations to Improve Soybean Health and Manage Soilborne Diseases

– Dr. Megan McCaghey, Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology, U of MN

8:20 a.m. Comparing Two-year to Single-year Applications of P Fertilizer in Corn-Soybean Rotations

– Dr. Lindsay Pease, Nutrient Management Specialist, U of MN

11:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions

45 minute sessions

One to Remember, One to Forget: A Review of the 2024 Variety Trials and the Lessons, if Any, for the 2025 Growing Season

– Dr. Jochum Wiersma, Small Grains Specialist, U of MN

Survive and Thrive, a Look at 2024 and 2025 Whole-Farm Revenue Projections

– Ron Dvergsten, Greg Dvergsten and James Widner, Farm Business Management Instructors, Northland Community & Technical College

Prairie Pothole Provisions: How Recent Changes Affect You

- Kale Van Bruggen, Attorney, Rinke Noonan

Overlooked but Important Management and Biological Considerations for Soilborne Diseases Impacting Field Crops

– Dr. Megan McCaghey, Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology, U of MN

Introducing Tolvera ™ Cereal Herbicide

– Matthew Pederson, Retail Strategic Account Manager, Corteva AgriScience

Making the Most out of Fertilizer RecommendationsThe Difference Between Surgeons and Butchers

- Robbie Holthusen, Product Manager and Steve McKechnie, Division Agronomist, Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC

Updates from Northern Crops Institute

– Krista Jansen, Program Manager, Northern Crops Institute (NCI)

AURI Update on Value Added Utilization of Regional Crops

- Harold Stanislawski, Business & Industry Development Director, and Michael Sparby, Commercialization Director, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)

2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

45 minute sessions

One to Remember, One to Forget: A Review of the 2024 Variety Trials and the Lessons, if Any, for the 2025 Growing Season

– Dr. Jochum Wiersma, Small Grains Specialist, U of MN

Vomitoxin, Low Protein, and Falling Numbers, Oh My! – Betsy Jensen, Josh Tjosaas and Kyle Olson, Farm Business Management Instructors, Northland Community & Technical College

Choose Your Own Adventure: Cover Crops, Drainage, and Biologicals

– Dr. Lindsay Pease, Nutrient Management Specialist, U of MN

Using Food as the Weapon - Impact of War on Ukraine’s Grain Production

– Dr. Oybek Turayev, Assistant Professor, Agribusiness Program, U of MN

Join us for the 2024 Prairie Grains Conference!

From weather and marketing to research and business management, you will be sure to walk away with some new and valuable information. Our wide variety of speakers are sure to answer the questions you may have.

Registration is required for meal ticket guarantees.

Meal tickets for those registering after the deadline will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until gone.

Registration for both days of programming and meals are FREE for members of :

Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers

Minnesota Barley Growers Association

Minnesota Soybean Growers Association

North Dakota Grain Growers Association

Registration is open through the day of the conference - walk-ins are welcome. Meals only guaranteed if registered by deadline (Nov 25, 2024).

Registration fee for non-members:

- Wednesday program & lunch - $35 ($40 after deadline)

- Wednesday banquet tickets $40 ($45 after deadline)

- Thursday conference program & lunch - $35 ($40 after deadline)

To register online, visit mnwheat.org , scan the QR code or call the MN Wheat office at 218-253-4311 ext 7 .

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Canad Inn , 701-772-8404, $109.00/night, Block #703888, ask for Prairie Grains Conference

South Dakota State University Extension South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at SDSU

2024 South Dakota Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results Regional Summaries

Karl Glover | SDSU Spring Wheat Breeder

Christopher Graham | SDSU Extension Agronomist

Madalyn Shires | SDSU Extension Plant Pathologist

Gazala Ameen | SDSU Small Grains Plant Pathologist

Dalitso Yabwalo | Reserach Associate I

Kevin Kirby | Agricultural Research Manager

Shawn Hawks | Agricultural Research Manager

Christopher Nelson | Agricultural Research Assistant

Lindsay Muller | Agricultural Research Technician

Jeremy Williams | Farm Manager

Eastern trial locations: South Shore, Volga

Central trial locations: Agar, Miller, Mina, Selby

Western trial locations: Sturgis, Wall

Eastern trial locations near Frankfurt was not harvest because of hail.

Eastern trail location near Claire City was not planted because of exceedingly wet conditions.

Individual trial location results can be accessed online at: https://extension.sdstate.edu/spring-wheat-variety-trial-results

SDSU Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer in accordance with the nondiscrimination policies of South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Board of Regents and the United States Department of Agriculture.

2024 South Dakota Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results

Table 1. List of spring wheat varieties tested in 2024 along with origin, agronomic, and grain quality characteristics.

† AP, AgriPro; CAG, Champion Alliance Group; LCS, Limagrain Cereal Seeds; MN, Minnesota; MS, Meridian Seeds; ND, North Dakota; PFS, Peterson Farms Seed; SD,South Dakota, WI, Winfield; WB, WestBred; and – (Year of Release).

‡ Difference in days to heading compared to Surpass (2024 eastern and central locations).

§ Lodging score: 1, perfectly standing; to 5, completely flat (2024 eastern and central locations).

¶ Test weight and protein are statewide averages.

SDSU Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer in accordance with the non discrimination policies of South Dakota State University, South Dakota Board of Regents and United States Department of Agriculture. © 2024

2024 South Dakota Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results

† Disease ratings: R, resistant; MR, moderately resistant; MS, moderately susceptible; S, susceptible; or 1, most resistant, to 9, most susceptible. Note: SDSU does not perform nursery screenings for all listed pathogens in each growing season.

‡ A dash (-) signifies no rating provided/available.

§ Parenthesis denote estimated ratings/rankings (X) based on externally-provided information.

Table 2. Spring wheat variety disease ratings.

2024 South Dakota Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results

Eastern Summary

Table 3. 2024 spring wheat variety performance trial results for testing sites in eastern South Dakota. Varieties ranking in the top 1/3 of each trial category are bold faced and shaded light blue.

# Trial averages may include values from experimental lines that are not reported.

† Value required (≥LSD) to determine if varieties are significantly different from one another.

‡ C.V. is a measure of variability or experimental error, 15% or less is considered acceptable..

2024 South Dakota Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results Western Summary

Summary

2024 South Dakota Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results Central

Table 5. 2024 spring wheat variety performance trial results for testing sites in western South Dakota. Varieties ranking in the top 1/3 of each trial category are boldfaced and shaded light blue.

Table 4. 2024 spring wheat variety performance trial results for testing sites in central South Dakota. Varieties ranking in the top 1/3 of each trial category are boldfaced and shaded light blue.

# Trial averages may include values from experimental lines that are not reported.

† Value required (≥LSD) to determine if varieties are significantly different from one another.

‡ C.V. is a measure of variability or experimental error, 15% or less is considered acceptable.

# Trial averages may include values from experimental lines that are not reported.

† Value required (≥LSD) to determine if varieties are significantly different from one another.

‡ C.V. is a measure of variability or experimental error, 15% or less is considered acceptable.

2024 South Dakota Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results

Western Summary

Table 5. 2024 spring wheat variety performance trial results for testing sites in western South Dakota. Varieties ranking in the top 1/3 of each trial category are boldfaced and shaded light blue.

# Trial averages may include values from experimental lines that are not reported.

† Value required (≥LSD) to determine if varieties are significantly different from one another.

‡ C.V. is a measure of variability or experimental error, 15% or less is considered acceptable.

South Dakota State University Extension

South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at SDSU

2024 South Dakota

Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results Regional Summaries

Sunish Sehgal | SDSU Winter Wheat Breeder

Christopher Graham | SDSU Extension Agronomist

Kevin Kirby | Agricultural Research Manager

Shawn Hawks | Agricultural Research Manager

Bruce Swan | Agricultural Research Manager

Travis Iverson | Assistant Research Farm Manager

Eastern Trial Locations: Brookings, Mt. Vernon, Platte, and South Shore

Central Trial Locations: Hayes, Onida, Pierre, Selby, Vivian, and Winner

Western Trial Locations: Faith, Sturgis, and Wall

Individual trial location results can be accessed online at: extension.sdstate.edu/winter-wheat-variety-trial-results

S-0002-2024-01-WW-Regional Summaries

2024 South Dakota Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results

Eastern Summary

Table 1. 2022-2024 winter wheat variety performance trial results for testing sites in eastern South Dakota. Varieties ranking in the top 1/3 of each trial category are bolded and shaded light blue.

# Trial averages may include values from experimental lines that are not reported.

† Value required (≥LSD) to determine if varieties are significantly different from one another.

‡ C.V. is a measure of variability or experimental error, 15% or less is considered acceptable.

Note: Eastern trial sites include Brookings, Mt. Vernon, Platte and South Shore.

2024 South Dakota Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results Central

Summary

Table 2 2022-2024 winter wheat variety performance trial results for testing sites in central South Dakota. Varieties ranking in the top 1/3 of each trial category are bolded and shaded light blue.

# Trial averages may include values from experimental lines that are not reported.

† Value required (≥LSD) to determine if varieties are significantly different from one another.

‡ C.V. is a measure of variability or experimental error, 15% or less is considered acceptable.

Note: Central trial sites include Hayes, Onida, Pierre, Selby, Vivian and Winner.

2024 South Dakota Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results

Western Summary

Table 3. 2022-2024 winter wheat variety performance trial results for testing sites in western South Dakota. Varieties ranking in the top 1/3 of each trial category are bolded and shaded light blue.

# Trial averages may include values from experimental lines that are not reported.

† Value required (≥LSD) to determine if varieties are significantly different from one another.

‡ C.V. is a measure of variability or experimental error, 15% or less is considered acceptable.

Note: Western trial sites include Faith, Sturgis and Wall.

The Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council

WANTS YOU!

The 2025 Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council Board of Directors election is right around the corner

Charged with directing Minnesota wheat checkoff dollars, MWRPC’s success depends on the volunteer farmer leaders that guide investment decisions. And with two seats up for election in Area 1 and one seat in Area 2, it’s the perfect opportunity for wheat leaders across the state to get involved in their industry.

Have a voice in wheat checkoff investments – run for the MWRPC board today! To obtain a nomination form, please email us at mnwheat@mnwheat.com.

Nomination forms must be received by Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, to appear on the ballot, and they can be emailed to mnwheat@mnwheat.com or mailed to:

MN Wheat 2600 Wheat Drive Red Lake Falls, MN 56750

Contact Brian Sorenson at (218) 253-5002 or visit mnwheat.org for more information.

*Tobeconsidered,apersonmusthavesharedintheprofitsandriskoflossfrom producingwheatduringthecurrentorprecedingmarketingyear .

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Preface by Jochum Wiersma

WPreliminary Report 24 2024 Wheat, Barley, and Oats Variety Performance in Minnesota Preliminary Report

hat a difference a year can make; a threeyear dry spell broke and the 2024 growing season was a wild, wet ride that was one to simultaneously remember and forget. The 2024 state average grain yield for HRSW was a record-breaking 68.5 bu/ acre. Simultaneously, Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused widespread problems in wheat, barley, and even oats across the state. It was, however, a single rain event followed by three hot and humid days in mid-August that really left a sour taste in northwest Minnesota as the resulting sprout damage relegated an otherwise stellar crop to mere feed. After three dry years and an unusually mild and drierthan-normal winter, rains returned to Minnesota in April. By the end of June many parts of the state had an unsurpassed surplus resulting in widespread flooding in the southern fifth of the state and drowned out crops and/or prevented planting of acreage across the rest. The mild winter meant that some field work was completed in March. By April 1, 6% of the oat acreage had been seeded and the first fields had already emerged. Rain delays ultimately resulted in three distinct planting windows for small grains; the first being the first half of April, the second being the last week of April and the third being the final two weeks of May. Half of the wheat, barley and oat acreage was seeded before May 1, with the other half getting seeded in the last two weeks of May.

By mid-June, I started to get seriously worried about the risk of FHB causing problems as higher temperatures and dew points combined with the already wet conditions. By the 4th of July it was clear that FHB would be a serious issue for many across the state and I started to have flashbacks to the 1993 and 1994 growing seasons. The risk maps ultimately indicated moderate to high risk for FHB for nearly a month straight. Fortunately, the nearly ubiquitous use of fungicides to suppress FHB at anthesis and improved genetics avoided a repeat of 1994.

Harvest of winter wheat started in late July in southern

Minnesota and the first spring wheat came off in northwest Minnesota by the end of the first week of August. Initial harvest reports from the southern and western parts of the state and southern Red River Valley pointed to problems as elevators and mills started to reject grain with DON levels exceeding 4 ppm. However, initial reports from the heart of the Red River Valley indicated better than expected grain yield with good quality and lower than expected DON levels.

A statewide soaker on Aug. 13 followed by three very hot and humid days changed everything in northwest Minnesota. The weather caused post-harvest dormancy to dissipate unusually quickly, resulting in sprouting of the standing crop. As a result, the Hagberg Falling Numbers plummeted and a record-breaking spring wheat crop’s value was decimated.

The September Small Grains Summary USDA-NASS reported Minnesota’s average spring wheat yield to be 68.5 bu/acre or 6.5 bushels year-over-year increase. It is not only a new record state average, but it beat the June 1 and Aug. 1 yield estimates by 5.5 and 1.5 bushels per acre, respectively. The state’s average barley yield decreased 4 bushels yearover-year to 70.0 bu/acre, while the state average for oat increased 11 bu/acre year-over-year to 88 bu/acre. Acreage of spring wheat bounced back up to just over 1.5 million acres while oat acreage increased nearly a third to 210,000 acres. Barley acreage dropped to just 40,000 acres of which only an estimated 25,000 was harvested.

The U.S. Wheat Associates Regional HRSW Quality Report has not been released as I write this. Based on comments I have received, I have to conclude that DON is present in most of the spring wheat. Most of this grain has concentrations low enough that the trade can manage it. There is, however, a substantial amount of grain with DON levels between 5 to 10 ppm and in some cases DON concentrations have exceeded 30 ppm. An equally big issue is the sprout damage. Most of the wheat seeded in April and harvested after the middle of August has HFN below 150, regardless of variety.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES

MINNESOTA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55108

Introduction

Successful small grain production begins with selection of the best varieties for a particular farm or field. For that reason, varieties are compared in trial plots on the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) sites at St. Paul, Becker, Waseca, Lamberton, Morris, Grand Rapids and Crookston. In addition to these seven MAES locations, trials are also planted at the Magnusson Research Farm near Roseau and with nine farmer cooperators. The trials are handled so factors affecting yield and performance are as close to uniform for all entries at each location as possible.

Variety Classifications

Varieties are listed in the tables alphabetically. Seed of tested varieties can be eligible for certification, and use of certified seed is encouraged. However, certification does not imply a recommendation. The intellectual property rights of the breeders or owners of the variety are listed as either PVP, PVP(pending), PVP(94), patent, or none. PVP protection means that the variety is protected under the Plant Variety Protection Act for a period of 20 years, while PVP(94) means that a variety is protected for 20 years with the additional stipulation that seed of the variety can only be sold as registered and certified classes of seed. PVP(pending) indicates that the PVP application has been made and that you should consider the variety to have the same intellectual property rights as those provided by PVP(94). The designation of ‘Patent’ means that the variety is protected by a utility patent and that farm-saved seed may be prohibited by the patent holder. The designation ‘None’ means that the breeder or owner never requested any intellectual property protection or that legal protection has expired. Registered and certified seed is available from seed dealers or from growers listed in the ‘Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) 2024 Directory’, available through MCIA’s office in St. Paul or online at http://www.mncia.org

Interpretation of the Data

The presented data are the preliminary variety trial information for single (2024) and multiple year (2022-2024) comparisons in Minnesota. The yields are reported as a percentage of the location mean, with the overall mean

(bu/acre) listed below. Two-year and especially oneyear data are less reliable and should be interpreted with caution. In contrast, averages across multiple environments, whether they are different years and/or locations, provide a more reliable estimate of mean performance and are more predictive of what you may expect from the variety the next growing season. The least significant difference or LSD is a statistical method to determine whether the observed yield difference between any two varieties is due to true, genetic differences between the varieties or due to experimental error. If the difference in yield between two varieties equals or exceeds the LSD value, the higher yielding one was indeed superior in yield. If the difference is less, the yield difference may have been due to chance rather than genetic differences, and we are unable to differentiate the two varieties. The 5% or 10% unit indicates that, with either 95% or 90% confidence, the observed difference is indeed a true difference in performance. Lowering this confidence level will allow more varieties to appear different from each other, but also increases the chances that false conclusions are drawn.

The Authors and Contributors

This report is written, compiled, and edited by Dr. Jochum Wiersma, Small Grains Specialist. The contributing authors/ principal investigators are:

Dr. James Anderson, Wheat Breeder, Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics, St. Paul.

Dr. Kevin Smith, Barley Breeder, Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics, St. Paul.

Dr. Ruth Dill‐Macky, Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, St. Paul.

Dr. Brian Steffenson, Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, St. Paul.

Dr. Yue Jin, USDA-ARS, Cereal Disease Laboratory, St. Paul.

Karen Beaubien, Matt Bickell, Danielle FiebelkornWrucke, Dave Grafstrom, Tom Hoverstad, Michael Leiseth, Nicholas Metz, Rafael Moreira, Susan Reynolds, Edward Schiefelbein, Nathan Stuart, Donn Vellekson, and Travis Vollmer supervised fieldwork at the various sites. Special thanks are also due to all cooperating producers.

WSPRING WHEAT

James Anderson, Jochum Wiersma, Susan Reynolds, Nathan Stuart, Danielle Fiebelkorn-Wrucke, Rafael Moreira, Ruth Dill-Macky, and Yue Jin.

B9590 was the most widely grown variety in Minnesota for a second year in the row with 23% acres across the state and 27% of the acreage in northwest Minnesota. MN-Rothsay jumped to second place with 22% of the acreage statewide and 21% of the acreage in northwest Minnesota. MN-Torgy and MN-Rothsay combined for over half the acreage in west central Minnesota and the southern half of the Red River Valley. MN-Torgy’s share of the acreage in northwest Minnesota, however, dropped out of the top five with 8% of the acreage. SY Valda dropped to 4th place overall in acreage with 10% but remains the second most popular variety in the southern part of the state. WB9479 reached fifth place with 7% of the acreage, most of which is grown in northwest Minnesota.

A dozen HRSW varieties were tested for the first time in the 2024 trials. This included AP Elevate, CAG Ceres, CP 3055, Dyna-Gro 8582, Dyna-Gro Rocker, LCS Hammer AX, ND Thresher, PFS Rolls, TCG-Badlands, TCG-Zelda, TW Olympic, TW Starlite, and TW Trailfire. ND Stampede was entered in the trials under number in 2023 and results are reported for the first time this year. WestBred did not enter any HRSW varieties in the University of Minnesota variety trial system. WB9479 and WB9590, however, were included in the testing in 2024 as they each occupied more than 5% of the acreage in 2023.

The results of the variety performance evaluations for spring wheat are summarized in Tables 1 through 6. The varietal characteristics are presented in Tables 1 through 3. Tables 4, 5, and 6 present the relative grain yield of tested varieties in 1, 2, and 3-year comparisons. The trials in Waseca and Fergus Falls were abandoned as a result of flooding and hail, respectively. The average yield across the five southern testing locations was 66 bu/acre in 2024. This average compares to a southern average of 78 bu/acre in 2023 and a three-year average of 68 bu/acre. The seven northern locations averaged again 95 bu/ acre in 2024 with the three-year average jumping 6 bushels to 92 bu/acre. A closer look at the yield and test weight data of individual varieties shows some stark differences in the year-over-year performance and between the southern and northern locations. Very late maturing varieties, like CP 3099A, did not fare well this past growing season compared to the last two growing seasons. Likewise, stripe rust, stem rust, and FHB caused substantive yield and test weight losses in a number of locations.

Varieties with a lodging score of 2 or 3 are considered exceptionally good and will only lodge in extreme cases, while varieties with a rating of 4 or 5 have adequate straw strength most years. Increasing seeding rates generally increases the risk of lodging for all but the strongest and shortest semi-dwarf HRSW varieties. Conversely, lower seeding rates will lower the risk of lodging, but commonly results in lower grain yield

potential. Linkert continues to be rated superior for straw strength with a rating of 2 while MN-Rothsay is the only public release with a lodging rating of 3. Private releases that have a rating of 3 for lodging include AP Smith, TCG-Teddy, TCGWildcat, WB9479, and WB 9590.

The University of Minnesota spring wheat breeding program has had a controlled environment screening method in place for pre-harvest sprouting for more than two decades. A rating of 1 or 2 was considered sufficient to avoid preharvest sprouting (PHS) in most conditions, even if the crop endured wet weather between reaching physiological maturity and harvest. This years’ experiences, at first glance, suggest that this may not be good enough and that even varieties with the best PHS rating were not able to resist sprouting and associated low falling numbers under the challenging conditions experienced this year. One way to reduce the risk of sprouting in the field is to start harvest at a higher moisture content than the ideal 13.5% grain moisture. Spring wheat can be harvested at 18% grain moisture and stored safely for about a month when the grain’s temperature in the bin is brought down to 70oF with aeration. That time nearly doubles and triples when the temperature of the grain is brought down to 60oF and 50oF, respectively.

Varieties with disease ratings of 4 or lower are considered the best defense against a particular disease. Varieties that are rated 7 or higher are likely to suffer significant economic losses under even moderate disease pressure. The differences in yield between the trials managed with and without fungicide that are reported in Table 7 are illustrative for this reason and informative in next year’s variety selection. The foliar disease rating represents the total complex of leaf diseases other than the rusts and includes the Septoria complex and tan spot. Although varieties may differ from their response to each of those diseases, the rating does not differentiate among them. Therefore, the rating should be used as a general indication and only for varietal selection in areas where these diseases historically have been a problem or if the previous crop is wheat or barley. Control of leaf diseases with fungicides may be warranted, even for those varieties with an above average rating.

Bacterial leaf streak (BLS) cannot be controlled with fungicides. Selection of more resistant varieties is the only recommended practice at this time if you have a history of problems with this disease. CAG Reckless, CP3915, Driver, LCS-Buster, LCS Trigger, MN-Torgy, and SY 611 CL2 combine the best resistance against BLS with acceptable levels of resistance to fungal diseases, including FHB. Ascend-SD, LCS Boom and ND Heron have the best available resistance against FHB but are susceptible to BLS or other fungal diseases.

Table 1. Origin and agronomic characteristics of hard red spring wheat varieties in Minnesota in single-year (2024) and multiple-year comparisons.

1 Abbreviations: MN = Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station; NDSU = North Dakota State University Research Foundation; SDSU = South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station

2 Our standard seeding rate is designed to achieve a desired stand of 1.3 million plants/acre, assuming a 10% stand loss and adjusting for the germination percentage and seed weight of each variety.

3 Heading is days after planting. 2024 data from Crookston, Lamberton, Roseau, and St. Paul.

4 1-9 scale in which 1 is the strongest straw and 9 is the weakest. Based on 2014-2024 data. The rating of newer entries may change by as much as one rating point as more data are collected.

5 AP Gunsmoke CL2 and SY 611 CL2 have tolerance to Beyond® herbicide.

6 CP3360AX and LCS Hammer AX have tolerance to Agressor AX® herbicide.

Table 2. Grain quality of hard red spring wheat varieties in Minnesota in single-year (2024) and multiple-year comparisons.

Environments

1 12% moisture basis.

2 2014-2022 crop years, where applicable.

3 1-9 scale in which 1 is best and 9 is worst. Values of 1-2 should be considered as resistant.

Table 3. Disease reactions 1 of hard red spring wheat varieties in Minnesota in multiple-year comparisons.

1 1-9 scale where 1=most resistant, 9=most susceptible.

2 Based on natural infections in 2024 at Becker.

3 CP3099A is the only variety that had significant damage due to stem rust in 2024. Ratings of other varieties is based on inoculated trials.

4 Bacterial leaf streak symptoms are highly variable from one environment to the next. The rating of entries may change as more data is collected.

5 Combined rating of tan spot and septoria.

MN-ROTHSAY

Excellent yields

Very good straw strength

Above average protein

Good pre-harvest sprout rating

MN-TORGY

High yielding

Very good protein

Good scab and BLS resistance

Well adapted to MN, ND and SD

2025 Best of the Best in Wheat and Soybean Research

January 29, 2025 – Grand Hotel, Minot, N.D.

February 5, 2025 – Alerus Center, Grand Forks, N.D. February 6, 2025 – Courtyard by Marriot, Moorhead, MN

The annual Best of the Best in Wheat and Soybean Research workshop offers growers a free chance to learn the latest in checkoff-supported wheat and soybean production from researchers and Extension specialists. Featured session topics include: Weed control, pest management, weather issues, soil health and more!

The Best of the Best is sponsored by the MN Association of Wheat Growers, MN Wheat Research & Promotion Council, MN Soybean Research & Promotion Council, ND Soybean Council, ND Grain Growers Association and ND Wheat Commission.

Visit mnwheat.org/council for upcoming registration details

4. Relative grain yield of hard red spring wheat varieties in northern Minnesota

1 2024 Fergus Falls was abandoned due to hail. 2 yr data is 2022 & 2023.

2 2023 Roseau was abandoned due to hail. 2 yr data is 2022 & 2024.

Table

1 2022 Benson was abandoned due to early season flooding.

2 The Morris location has not been seeded since 2022.

Table 6. Relative grain yield of hard red spring wheat varieties in Minnesota in single-year (2024) and multiple-year comparisons (2022-2024).

Table 7. Grain yield (bushels per acre) of hard red spring wheat varieties grown under conventional and intensive management.

1 There were no intensive trials in southern locations in 2023. 2-year is 2022 and 2024.

BARLEY

Kevin Smith, Ruth Dill-Macky, Jochum Wiersma, Brian Steffenson, Karen Beaubien, and Ed Schiefelbein

The results of the variety performance evaluations for spring barley are summarized in Tables 8 through 12. The varietal characteristics and disease reactions are presented in Tables 8 and 9. Tables 10 through 12 present the relative grain yield of the tested varieties in single and multiple year comparisons. The varieties were tested in 13 locations; however, Fergus Falls was lost to hail. The average yield across the 12 testing locations was 102 bu/acre in 2024 (Table 12). This is down from a state average of 105 bu/acre in 2023. The highest yields this year were recorded in Hallock with 152 bu/acre (Table 10) while the lowest grain yields were recorded in Lamberton with 58 bu/acre (Table 11).

ND Treasure was the highest yielding six-row variety and AAC Connect was the highest yielding two-row variety based on the 2024 state average (Table 12). AAC Synergy and Tradition had lower stem breakage (Table 8). On average, two-rows head about four days later than six-rows. ND Treasure is a new six-row entry from NDSU that is intended for the pet food market.

Table 9 describes the reaction of this year’s entries to five major diseases in the region. Disease reaction is based on data from at least two experiments and scored from 0–9; where 0 is most resistant and 9 is most susceptible. Net blotch can be an important disease and most varieties tested have good resistance. The six rows, with the exception of Quest, are generally more susceptible to Fusarium head blight expressed as higher concentrations of vomitoxin or DON. All the varieties tested are generally susceptible (ratings from 3-8) to the QCCJ race of stem rust which has not been identified as a threat in the Midwest yet. All listed varieties carry stem rust resistance to the predominant Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici race (MCCF). Most varieties possess pre-heading resistance to stem rust; thus, they will not likely incur much damage unless the disease epidemic is severe. Bacterial Leaf Streak (BLS) cannot be controlled by fungicides and there are some modest differences (ratings from 3-5) in resistance among the tested two row varieties.

No. of Trials

1 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI), Cornell University (NY), Secobra Recherches (SR), North Dakota State University (ND), University of Minnesota (MN)

2 ND Treasure evaluated in 2023 and 2024.

Table 8. Agronomic characteristics of malting barley varieties, 2022-2024.

2-row

6-row

Table 9. Disease reactions of barley varieties in multiple year comparisons.

2-row

6-row

No. of Trials

1 Trait measured on a scale from 0-9 where 0=resistant and 9=susceptible.

2 Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the mycotoxin produced by the Fusarium head blight pathogen

3 Data is for 2022 and 2023.

4 Data is for stem rust pathogen QCCJ. All lines were resistant to stem rust pathogen MCCF in years tested.

5 Data from two trials with natural Powdery Mildew infection in 2024 only.

6 ND Treasure evaluated in 2023 and 2024.

Table 10. Relative grain yield (percent of the mean of the trial) of barley varieties in northern Minnesota locations in single-year (2024) and multiple year comparisons (2022-2024).

1 Trial data is from 2022 and 2024 only

2 Trial data is from 2023 and 2024 only

3 ND Treasure evaluated in 2023 and 2024

Strathcona

2-row

6-row

Crookston Hallock Oklee Perley Roseau Stephen

1 Trial data is from 2022 and 2023 only; 2024 trial lost to hail

2 Trial data is from 2022 and 2024 only

3 ND Treasure evaluated in 2023 and 2024

Table 12. Relative grain yield (percent of the mean of the trial) of barley varieties in a single-year (2024) and multiple year comparisons (2022-2024).

LSD(0.1)

of Trials

1 ND Treasure evaluated in 2023 and 2024

EOATS

Kevin Smith, Ruth Dill-Macky, Nicholas Metz, Karen Beaubien, Jochum Wiersma

ntries in the state oat variety trial were evaluated in nine locations, however Fergus Falls was lost to hail and Waseca to excess rain. In addition, entries were evaluated for disease resistance to crown rust, barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), and smut in dedicated, inoculated nurseries. The results of the variety evaluations are summarized in Tables 13 to 17. The origin and agronomic characteristics of the tested oat varieties are listed in Table 13. Maturity, height, and test weight data are presented as statewide averages from 2022-2024 except where noted. Straw strength data is also a statewide average from the same period, but only from locations where lodging was present. Maturity, height, and lodging are important considerations for variety selection based on the intended location and expected end use of the crop.

Crown rust continues to be a major limiting factor to oat production in Minnesota that must be managed to achieve optimal yield. Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.), the alternate host of crown rust is widespread in Minnesota, allowing for a persistent and particularly aggressive pathogen population. Rust in all yield trials was managed through treatment with a propiconazole-based fungicide when the flag leaf was fully extended (Feekes 9) to evaluate the yield potential with little to no disease. Crown rust and other disease resistance ratings are listed in Table 14. All disease scores were converted to a 1- 9 scale. A score of 1 is very resistant and a score of 9 is very susceptible. The most economical way of controlling crown rust is through resistant varieties; however, application of fungicide to a variety with rating of 4 or greater is prudent if crown rust is present in the lower canopy at Feekes 9. Mink, Esker 2020 and SD Momentum appear to be the best varieties for crown rust resistance.

Other important diseases include BYDV and smut which were evaluated in inoculated nurseries at the University of Illinois and the University of Minnesota, respectively. We observed little difference among the tested varieties for resistance to BYDV (ratings from 3-4). Most varieties tested had good resistance to smut with the exception of ND Heart. A seed treatment and certified seed should be used to manage smut. Choose the varieties with the lowest disease ratings in an organic production system and plant as early as possible to reduce the risk of yield losses caused by these diseases.

For grain production, lodging and grain quality traits should be considered when choosing a variety (Table 13). Oat varieties with high protein and low oil are preferred in the food market. High test weight, as a proxy for milling yield, is very important in both the food and feed markets. Contact your local elevator or buyer and ask whether they prefer particular varieties.

Tables 15 through 17 present the relative grain yield of the tested varieties in single and multiple year comparisons. For 2024, the highest yields were in Stephen and the lowest yields in Becker. Mink followed by Esker 2020 and Saddle were the top yielding varieties in statewide averages for 2024. Mink performed well in both the northern and southern regions in 2024. Some varieties perform differently in the north and south. For example, in 2024 MN-Pearl and ND Carson both performed below average in the south and above average in the North. In general, earlier maturing varieties perform better in southern Minnesota because flowering can occur when it is cooler. Similarly, later performing varieties tend to perform better in northern Minnesota.

13.

1Lantmannen Seed (LS), North Dakota State University (ND), South Dakota State University (SD), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (IL), University of Minnesota (MN), University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

2Line tested in 2023 and 2024

3Line tested in 2024 only

4 Hulless oat

5-9 scale where 1=most resistant, 9=most susceptible

Table 14. Disease characteristics of oat varieties.

BYDV3,4

1Line tested in 2023 and 2024

2Line tested in 2024 only

3Disease scored on a 1-9 scale where 1 = most resistant, 9 = most susceptible.

4BYDV tested in 2021

Crown Rust3 Loose Smut3

15. Relative

1 Line tested in 2023 and 2024

2 Line tested in 2024 only

3 Hulless oat

4 Trial data is from 2022 and 2023; 2024 trial was lost to hail

5 Trial data is from 2022 and 2024

1 Line tested in 2023 and 2024

2 Line tested in 2024 only

3 Hulless oat

4 Trial data is from 2022 and 2024

5 Trial data is from 2024 only

6 Trial data is from 2022 and 2023; 2024 trial was lost to excessive rain

Table 17. Relative grain yield of oat varieties in Minnesota in single-year (2024) and multiple-year comparisons (2022-2024).

1 Line tested in 2023 and 2024

2 Line tested in 2024 only

3 Hulless oat

Editor’s Note: North Dakota State University’s Variety Trials were unavailable at press time. Those trials are expected to be published in Minnesota Wheat’s Research Review at Prairie Grains Conference.

Limagrain Cereal Seeds 2024 Spring Wheat Data and Portfolio Review

By Troy Gerding

LCS Northern Plains Regional Commercial Manager

A Comprehensive Approach to Wheat Farming

As farmers across the Dakotas and Red River Valley navigate an increasingly complex agricultural landscape, Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS) is stepping up with a robust hard red spring wheat portfolio that includes a suite of options to enhance your farming strategy. Each variety is designed to meet the diverse needs of growers, offering impressive performance in various conditions. As you plan your next planting season, consider these varieties to help diversify your acres and boost your yields. Plus, keep an eye out for exciting new varieties on the horizon that promise to push the boundaries even further.

Unlocking Potential: The Power of LCS Hammer AX

If you’re looking for a spring wheat variety that truly delivers, consider LCS Hammer AX. This pioneering CoAXium™ variety has quickly made a name for itself, and it’s easy to see why. With the CoAXium™ Wheat Production System, you can tackle those pesky grassy weeds that threaten your yields.

Early Birds: LCS Boom and LCS Cannon

For those eager to kick off harvest early, LCS Boom is the perfect choice. Building on the success of LCS Cannon, this variety is designed for very early maturity. If you want to dive into wheat harvest and swiftly transition to another crop, both LCS Boom and LCS Cannon are among the first to get you out in the fields.

These varieties don’t just get you harvesting sooner; they also provide consistent protein, stable yields, and robust straw strength. LCS Boom takes it a step further, offering increased protein, heavier test weights, enhanced tolerance to bacterial leaf streak and better end-use quality, making it a superior option for your operation.

A Fresh Look: LCS Ascent

LCS Ascent, is a recent contender for wheat farmers in the Dakotas and Red River Valley. This variety isn’t just about good looks – though it does stand tall with striking color and impressive wheat heads. It’s designed for top-end yield, high test weight and stable protein, making it a reliable choice for your fields.

LCS Ascent combines aesthetics with performance, ensuring you get both visual appeal and excellent results come harvest time.

Double Trouble: The Reliability of LCS Dual

If consistency is what you’re after, look no further than LCS Dual. This variety packs a punch with its solid combination of yield and protein across the board. Adaptable to a wide range of conditions, LCS Dual offers exceptional straw strength and a comprehensive disease package, making it a dependable choice for farmers across the Northern Plains.

Yield Champions: LCS Buster and LCS Trigger

For sheer yield potential, LCS Buster is a standout. Known for its exceptional performance in trials, it’s a farmer favorite thanks to its strong disease tolerance and straw quality. If you’re looking for a variety that can consistently top the charts, LCS Buster should be on your radar.

Don’t overlook LCS Trigger either—this powerhouse has a history of blockbuster yields, averaging 108% of mean yield in the UMN North 3-Year trial average. With robust disease resistance and great adaptability, it remains a reliable option year after year.

Setting the Standard: LCS Rebel

Finally, meet LCS Rebel, a proven performer with the highest protein content in the LCS lineup. Its quality has made it the go-to variety for the Wheat Quality Council since 2019, serving as a benchmark for end-users. With LCS Rebel, you’re not just planting wheat; you’re ensuring top-notch quality for your customers.

Conventional

Spring Wheat Yield Performance

*Top 25% of each column is bold red

Crookston, MN Hoople,

Following CoAXium stewardship guidelines

this

wheat harvest, reduces the weed seed bank and safeguards the tool that gives you unprecedented control over cheatgrass, feral rye and other yield-robbing grassy weeds.

Maximize yield and prevent herbicide resistance:

• Plant Certified seed

•

• Rotate CoAXium with other

21st Century Genetics (TCG) Hard Red Spring Wheat (HRS) trials in 2024

2024 was a year with a little bit of everything. Timely planting dates in some areas, later dates due to excessive moisture in others. The annual wheat survey predicted a record crop, and for some producers it was. Disease and quality issues did take their toll in some areas, lack of late season moisture in others, but there wasn’t one big thing across the region to sum up how the crop performed. We observed that almost all of the varieties available on the market have reasonable disease tolerance, but when pressured, fungicide was very obviously the highest ROI input in season. Differences of 20 Bu/Acre in treated and untreated test strips were commonly reported from growers.

2024 emphasized the recommendation of growing 2-4 varieties to hedge against Mother Nature’s unpredictable conditions, and we were pleased with our varieties’ adaptability as a lineup.

TCG-Wildcat continued to perform well and was a top yielder for many of our customers. It is also our highest protein variety which has more recently earned a premium. A cross between Mayville and Linkert, the variety combines many of the strengths of both. While the parents were mostly successful in northeastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, TCG-Wildcat has performed into western North Dakota and central Minnesota. Growers also love the standability and easy harvestability. TCG-Wildcat has proven to be a great option in any farms’ lineup.

TCG-Zelda was new to commercial production in 2024 and delivered in virtually every environment. We heard many reports of growers seeing the highest yields they could remember in their TCG-Zelda production. The variety performs well in trials, but really shines in commercial production. We attribute this to high yield potential with great standability. The high yield does not come at the price of low protein, as the variety tends to run around 14%. For 2025 planning, TCG-Zelda can be confidently placed on your highest yielding fields, and pairs great with TCG-Wildcat.

HARD RED SPRING WHEAT

AGRIMAX FISHER, MN 218-891-2211 Agrimaxllc.com

O’TOOLE SEED CRYSTAL, ND 701-657-2127 Otooleseed.com

UNITY SEED CASSELTON, ND 701-347-5355 Unityseed.com

WEST CENTRAL AG SERVICES ULEN, MN 218-596-8821 Westcentralag.com

GENERATION WHEAT CANDO, ND 701-739-0331 Generation wheat@gmail.com

ACRES AWAY AG GRENVILLE, SD 701-269-1751 Acresawayag.com

ARROW K FARMS BELFIELD, ND 701-260-0609 Arrowkfarms.com

SOUTH 89 SEED Roseau, MN 218-280-5980

South89seed.com

BROOKS & CHAD HEER Douglas, ND 701-529-4417 bheer69@yahoo.com

DURUM WHEAT

BIRDSALL GRAIN AND SEED, LLC. Berthold, ND 701-453-3300 Birdsall grainandseed.com

L&L JONES Webster, ND 701-230-2109 ljones@gondtc.com

TCG-Badlands had another great year in 2024. We’ve placed it, as the name suggests, on your weaker ground. One of the only “defensive” wheat varieties on the market, we mean defensive in terms of tolerating alkali and poorly drained soils. It is a suitable replacement for barley and grows where many other wheat varieties won’t. For a good rule of thumb, if your soybeans have IDC issues in a field, TCG-Badlands is a great candidate to put into the rotation.

TCG-Teddy is our shortest and strongest standing wheat. Seeding rates can be pushed with good yield and quality, while keeping lodging to a minimum. Probably more of a niche variety, TCG-Teddy fits into cropping systems where straw structure and residue management are important for no-till production strategies.

TCG-Arsenal is our newest variety and is an outstanding performer in the later maturing wheat class. It has the highest yield potential in our lineup, when Mother Nature favors late maturity. Compared to similar maturing varieties, TCG-Arsenal has good standability and adequate protein. Limited supply is available in 2025.

We definitely feel we have options for any field going into 2025. We also have a great network of Associates, the most professional in the industry. We hope you reach out to them, and us, as we can provide more information, data, and support before making your 2025 planting decisions.

TCG-Wildcat

• Widely Adapted

• Exceptional Response to High Management

• Excellent Combination of Yield, Standability, TW, and Protein

• PVPA (94) Patented

TCG-Zelda

• Top Yield Potential, Standability, Early Maturity, and Region Wide Drought Tolerance.

• Good Protein and Test Weight

• Patent Pending

21ST CENTURY GENETICS

TCG-Teddy

• Outstanding Standability with Big Yield Punch and Good Quality

• Good Tolerance to BLS

• Performs Best at Higher Seeding Rates

• Patent Pending

TCG-Badlands

• High Yields with Good Quality on Alkali Soils

• Improved Standability and Yield Compared to TCG-Wildfire

• Patent Pending NEW

TCG-Arsenal

• Highest Yield Potential

• Later maturing

• Adequate Protein in High-Yielding Fields

• Patent Pending

by Sydney Harris

Raising the bar

National Wheat Yield Contest winners announced

Complacency isn’t an option for wheat growers. That’s why the National Wheat Yield Contest encourages wheat growers to strive for high yield, quality and profit while trying new and innovative wheat management strategies. With a record 516 entries in 2024, 26 national and 94 state winners have been announced, including several winners from Prairie Grains readership areas in Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana.

“The new website, along with all our great partners promoting the contest and good growing conditions in most wheat-growing states early last spring, created more interest and enthusiasm for the contest,” said Bernard Peterson, National Wheat Foundation chairman and Kentucky farmer. “We appreciate all the growers who participated and our partners who supported the contest. Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who is learning how to raise higher yield and quality wheat through their experiences in the contest.”

Established in 2016, the National Wheat Foundation created the contest to increase U.S. wheat growers’ productivity and educate and communicate to all segments of the wheat industry the importance of yield, quality and profit. Furthermore, the contest allows growers to share and learn innovative techniques to improve their operations, ensuring an ample supply of quality U.S. wheat is available to readily meet the needs of the domestic and international wheat market.

“The National Wheat Yield Contest emphasizes wheat quality as well as yield because our customers all over the world expect that our wheat is the best and most consistent high-quality wheat they can buy,” Peterson said.

All 26 national winners will ship in a wheat sample to be tested for quality parameters, including milling and baking analysis. A panel of experts will evaluate the results, and top-quality winners will be announced on Jan. 15 at the National Wheat Foundation’s winter board meeting in Washington, D.C.

2024 National Winners

Winter Wheat – Dryland

Bin Buster – Steve VanGrunsven, OR

1st – Jeffrey Krohn, MI

2nd – Clint Zenner, ID

3rd – Garrett Warren, WA

4th – Scott Truszkowski, NJ

5th – Mark Deysher, PA

Spring Wheat – Dryland

Bin Buster – Nick Pfaff, ND

1st – John Wesolowski, MN

2nd – Dale Flikkema, MT

3rd – Bruce & Helle Ruddenklau, OR

1st-% Over County – Greg Messer, ND

2nd-% Over County – Austin Kautzman, ND

3rd-% Over County – Jordan Christman, ND

Winter

Wheat

– Irrigated

Bin Buster – Phillip Gross, WA

1st – Oree Reynolds, ID

2nd – Zach Balahtsis, OK

Spring Wheat – Irrigated

Bin Buster – Jess Blatchford, OR

1st – Dallin Wilcox, ID

2nd – Joel Zwainz, WA

Tasked with making wise checkoff investments that increase farmer profitability, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council can’t foresee every issue that may arise for Minnesota soybean growers, but we can look to the horizon and do our best to stay ahead of the game.

Mark your calendars for Dec. 12! Join us at the 2024 Prairie Grains Conference to learn about the latest findings in checkoff-supported soybean research

Soybean Research Reporting Session – Dec. 12

Title/Presenter

7 a.m.

7:20 a.m.

7:40 a.m.

8 a.m.

8:20 a.m.

Industry Comparison of Agronomic Soybean Inputs – Andrew Lueck, Next Gen Ag LLC.

Starter Fertilizer in Soybean? – Dr. Lindsay Pease

Northwest MN Soybean Research Grab Bag – Dr. Angie Peltier

Genetic and Architecture Considerations to Improve Soybean Health and Manage Soilborne Diseases – Dr. Megan McCaghey

Comparing Two-year to Single-year Applications of P Fertilizer in Corn-Soybean Rotations – Dr. Lindsay Pease

ACROSS THE PRAIRIE

Agenda set for MGGA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show

The Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA) has officially kicked off registration for its 69th annual Convention and Trade Show. Growers and industry leaders will gather Dec. 3-5 at the Pacific Steel and Recycling Arena in Great Falls, Mont., to look back at 2024 and forecast the year ahead.

The packed agenda includes speakers covering the gamut, from succession planning to managing erosion to marketing for oil seeds.

“One of the coolest things about the Montana Grain Growers Association Annual Convention is within the planning process. Each year is unique with the Vice President getting to piece their convention together. I feel that sentiment will be very much felt in the 2024 convention as I have turned a big focus on mental health and motivation,” said Klayton Lohr, MGGA vice president and convention chair. “After four straight years of horrible drought on my farm, agronomy is still important, but not as important as the mental and emotional toll as I lay awake at night trying to figure out what to do next. I hope this convention can bring a more positive outlook for everyone, no matter what’s happened in the last year.”

Registration is now available at mgga.org/

U.S. Wheat Associates release first 2024 Crop Quality Report

In October, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) released its first 2024 Wheat Quality Report. The report, which is compiled from sample testing and analysis conducted throughout harvest, relays that the soft red winter wheat quality stayed high despite challenging conditions. The report indicated a slight decrease in seeded area but benefited from favorable growing conditions. This led to a production of 342 million bushels. Due to drought, protein content was higher than last year, and vomitoxin levels stayed below USDA thresholds.

Hard red winter wheat is widely grown in the Midwest. It is noted for its excellent milling and baking characteristics. The Gulf and Pacific Northwest

Montana farmer Nathan Keane (far right) speaks during a panel at the 2023 MGGA Annual Convention and Trade Show.

(PNW) crops both met the highest quality standards, with test weights and moisture levels reflecting a sound crop.

The protein content for the Gulf crop was slightly lower due to less stress and higher yields.

USW will continue more detailed crop information with customers through the 2024 U.S. Wheat Crop Quality Report.

USW shares the data with customers in person and at a series of annual Crop Quality Seminars around the world. Learn more by visiting uswheat.org

NDSU Extension sets dates for Getting it Right in Soybean Production webinar

Soybean producers, crop advisers and people looking for research-based soybean production recommendations will not want to miss the Getting It Right: Soybean webinar on Dec. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The online event will be hosted on Zoom and is organized by North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension, with checkoff support from the North Dakota Soybean Council.

The webinar will offer the latest research updates and actionable recommendations to help soybean farmers make informed production decisions for the 2025 growing season. Topics of discussion include variety selection, soil fertility, plant protection (weed, disease and insect management) and soybean markets.

Presentations will be led by NDSU Extension specialists, followed by a Q&A session. There is no fee to participate, but registration is required. To register and view a detailed list of topics and presenters, visit ndsu.ag/GIRsoybeans.

All registered participants will receive detailed instructions via email on how to join the webinar. The webinar will be recorded and archived for future reference. Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing education credits will be available.

Upcoming Getting It Right Webinars:

January 30, 2025: Sunflower

February 4, 2025: Flax

February 10, 2025: Dry Beans

March 14, 2025: Canola

For more information, please contact Ana Carcedo at 701- 831-5796 or a.carcedo@ndsu.edu.

2025 Small Grains Update Meetings

Wheat, Soybean & Corn

JANUARY 7-10th, 2025

Visit mnwheat.org for more details.

Meetings are free - registration is not necessary

Dr. Jim Anderson Spring Wheat Breeder University of MN

Spring Wheat Variety Selection for 2025

Dr. Maciej Kazula Research Director MN Corn

Your Corn Check-off at Work in Research

Bruce Kleven

Legislative Strategist for MN Wheat

2025 Minnesota Legislative Session Update

Jim Emter CEO Van Ahn & Company, Inc. A Four Step Plan to Successful Grain Marketing in Uncertain Times

NEW LOCATION

DILWORTH

Tuesday, January 7th

12:00 p.m.

TAK Music Venue 1710 Center Ave (Lunch served)

NEW LOCATION

Dr. Angie Peltier Extension Crops Educator UMN NWROC, Crookston Growing Healthier Soybeans

MN Association of Wheat Growers and the MN Wheat Research & Promotion Council Update

County Soybean and/or Corn Grower Association Annual Meetings will take place in: Halstad, Crookston and Lancaster

HALSTAD

Wednesday, January 8th 8:00 a.m.

Halstad Legion Rec Center 580 2nd Ave W (Lunch served)

(Mtg in conjunction with Norman County Ag Day)

CROOKSTON

Wednesday, January 8th

12:00 p.m.

Youngquist Auditorium UMN - Crookston Campus (Lunch served) (Mtg in conjunction with West Polk County Crop Improvement)

LANCASTER

Thursday, January 9th

8:30 a.m. Community Center (Lunch served) (Mtg in conjunction with Kittson County Crop Show)

ROSEAU

NEW TIME

Thursday, January 9th 12:00 p.m.

Gene’s Bar & Grill (Lunch served)

ST. HILAIRE

Friday, January 10th 8:30 a.m. Community Center (Lunch served) _

OTHER AREA MEETINGS:

Small Grains Update MORRIS

Monday, January 20th

12:30 - 3:00 p.m. WCROC (Lunch served)