Kansas Wheat launches campaign highlighting wheat's broader benefits beyond grain

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas Wheat, in collaboration with researchers from Kansas State University, has launched an educational initiative aimed at farmers, landowners, financial institutions, and policymakers. The campaign, titled "Wheat: Beyond the Value of the Grain," seeks to raise awareness of the many advantages winter wheat offers in cropping systems, extending far beyond its market price.

Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations at Kansas Wheat, emphasized the vital role wheat plays in global food security while also highlighting the crop's broader value in sustainable farming systems. Harries noted that a recent study examines wheat’s contributions beyond the grain itself.

The campaign draws attention to the economic and environmental benefits of incorporating winter wheat into crop rotations, according to Romulo Lollato, associate professor of wheat and forage production at Kansas State University. In a discussion featured on the "Wheat’s On Your Mind" podcast, Lollato stressed the importance of winter wheat in maintaining successful cropping systems in regions like Kansas, where the crop has long been integral to farming practices.

The idea for the campaign emerged in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, following a noticeable decline in winter wheat acres, particularly in Kansas. A comprehensive review of more than 300 studies highlighted the diverse benefits of winter wheat beyond just grain production. This research underscored wheat's versatility as a crop, offering both economic and operational flexibility for farmers.

Winter wheat is particularly valuable for its broad planting window, which provides farmers with flexibility in managing their operations. Additionally, its dual-purpose nature allows for both grain and forage production, enhancing economic returns.

Incorporating winter wheat into crop rotations has also been shown to boost the yields of other crops, such as corn and soybeans. Studies in Kansas, Illinois, and Wisconsin have consistently demonstrated that wheat rotations lead to higher yields compared to monoculture farming. For example, a long-term Kansas study revealed that rotating winter wheat with soybeans resulted in a 12-bushel-per-acre increase in soybean yields. Similarly, corn yields in Western Kansas were 14.7 bushels per acre higher following wheat than after grain sorghum.

Beyond yield improvements, winter wheat contributes to better soil health, improving soil structure, organic matter content, and nutrient cycling. Wheat also helps manage pests and diseases, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides.

The research findings, now compiled in a comprehensive paper, will be disseminated through a series of concise, two-page extension publications, each focusing on a specific benefit of winter wheat.

For more information, including the full research publication and additional resources, visit kswheat.com/wheatrx. Listeners can also access the full podcast episode and other installments of the "Wheat’s On Your Mind" podcast at wheatsonyourmind.com.