More Winter Wheat Acres Being Planted Than Originally Thought

NC State Extension Corn & small grain specialist Dr. Ron Heiniger.

With wheat prices less than ideal, the winter wheat acres going in this fall has been open for debate.  NC State Extension corn & small grain specialist Dr. Ron Heiniger says he’s looking for the planted acres to be only slightly less:

“Right now I think we will be in the 650-700,000 acres. We have been close to 1 million in the past.”

Good weather in September, October and early November changed some minds regarding planting winter wheat, and Heiniger says those producers may end up in a profitable situation:

“Wheat prices have gained strength and there is a growing realization that the volatility of markets here in the coming year and the risk involved, I think the ones with the wheat crop in the ground or planning to put one in, are doing the right thing. We have had a fairly reliable growth return here.”

For many, planting winter wheat this is a soil management and cover crop situation says Heiniger:

“I do think a lot are putting it out to get some ground cover and keep the nutrients from leaching.