Queenstown, Maryland (June 8, 2023) – On Monday, June 5th, the Delmarva Wheat Tour traveled across the peninsula to visit wheat fields and determine the impact of the 2023 spring season on the cash crop. Seven farms across Delaware and Maryland showed hopeful signs of a good crop for growers. Based on the condition of the wheat viewed, we will likely see combines moving in the coming weeks.
Spring weather was nearly ideal for the small grains. “The four inches of rain in May really allowed the small grains to perform. If we missed that rain, we would have seen drought impacts in the wheat crop,” said Mark Sultenfuss with Nagel Crop Insurance. Otherwise, the dry and cold spring lowered the risk of disease development, with little to no scab found during the tour across fields.
From the seven stops, fields looked to average 75 bushels per acre to well above 100 bushels per acre. All fields had different management throughout the growing season, with practices such as irrigation, growth regulator, fungicide, and combinations of all three. In general, “we are hopeful for a prosperous harvest this summer,” said Mark.
Back in planting season, wheat futures were as high as $8.35 per bushel. Since then, the market has fallen twice, and last week ended at $4.90 per bushel for the 2023 harvest delivery. “There has been a lot of volatility to the market with Ukraine, drought across the United States, and with improved crop ratings from last year,” said Lee Sproull with Leland Commodities Services LLC.
One of the seven stops was at the University of Delaware Caravel Research and Education Center to view the 2023 wheat varieties trials. “There are over 70 varieties of soft red winter wheat, we are honored to provide unbiased variety trials for some of the popular and upcoming varieties for our peninsula growers,” said Alyssa Koehler, Plant Pathologist for the University of Delaware.
On another note, discussion was brought up about barley. Farmers have been cutting barley across the region and seem to be very pleased with the yields and test weights they have come across. One farmer on the mid-shore has seen 100 bushels per acre with 48 test weights coming off dry.
With that, we wish all our growers a bountiful and safe harvest season. Thank you for your dedication to feeding your neighbors.
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The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Check-off Program. Grain producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research. Learn more about the utilization board at marylandgrain.org.
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