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December 20, 2023
In This Edition:
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MI Grown, MI Great brings pro-ag messages to nearly 3 million consumers
 In 2023, the Michigan Ag Council – of which the Michigan Wheat Program is a member – had a very successful year raising public awareness with its MI Grown, MI Great multi-commodity, pro-agriculture consumer campaign. MI Grown, MI Great greatly increased its “views” and consumer engagements to 2.9 million consumers – an increase of 195% over 2022.
The campaign’s new approaches to engaging consumers includes reaching out with a farm-friendly message. They are utilizing both traditional media and social online campaigns including new features such as videos and three “Down on MI Farm Dinners”. This has driven the increased awareness of modern Michigan agriculture.
Click here to see the MI Grown, MI Great "Growing Trust" videos on You Tube.
Click here to subscribe to the MI Grown, MI Great channel on YouTube (free), which includes dozens of videos such as the 2016 Mike Milligan wheat planting video that has been watched 2,300 times; and the 2017 Mike Milligan wheat harvest video with a MI Grown, Mi Great “ambassador” that has 700 views!
MI Ag Council executive director Noelle Nachreiner wrote, “I am grateful for Michigan Wheat's continued support of the Michigan Ag Council and our efforts to build consumer trust. We appreciate your continued partnership and look forward to continuing to support - our farmers - next year.”
The 2024 plans of the MI Ag Council include a streaming ad campaign to reach consumers at home with pro-ag videos, bringing the “Down on MI Farm Dinner” series to new parts of the state, and deploying Ag Council ambassadors across the state to share farmer stories.
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Our Christmas gift to you:
Oodles of winter reading of wheat research results on website!
The Michigan Wheat Program launched a major website upgrade in 2023, and in the snowy days to come it holds a lot of wheat grower resources for an at-your-own pace, in-your-recliner reading opportunity.
The Research tab has been re-organized into 16 areas of MI Wheat Program-funded research such as “Weeds,” “Fertility” and “Disease Management.” Altogether, it contains nearly 70 final or interim research reports, some with PowerPoints included.
More are on the way as researchers finish their 2023 reports. To date, the Michigan Wheat Program has put $3.8 million into 154 wheat projects, most of them multi-year projects.
Other features of the website at www.miwheat.org include a new top-of-page “Feature Story” that changes about monthly, an “Action Now: Sign Up” section for winter meetings and a “News and Announcements” section. Other features:
- Grower Resources links to key activities, and is now located on the home page;
- A Publications section near the bottom of the home page is hot-linked to Wheat 101 and A Decade of Dedication, and the ever-popular “Facts about Gluten” sheet.
- At the very bottom of the home page are links to partners, social media (“Follow Us”) and a sign-up for the free monthly Wheat Wisdom e-newsletter, and traditional contact information for the Michigan Wheat Program.
- The multi-media Previous Events tab utilizes a hyper-linked meeting agenda for quick access to presenters’ videos, PowerPoints and handouts for most Winter Annual Meetings and Summer Field Days since 2013. These are also great for winter viewing or for checking on when you have an issue with your crop!
- The Newsroom tab archives all previous Wheat Wisdom e-newsletters and news releases.
Miwheat.org is fully searchable by keywords and is now on a mobile-friendly platform, making it more accessible to cell and tablet users – which also work well from the recliner! Happy surfing!
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Nourish the Future 2023: MI Wheat helps teach the [science] teachers ag concepts
 This past summer, the Michigan Wheat Program helped sponsor a new training program to teach the teachers how to incorporate modern agriculture into their science curriculum.
Last August, more than 20 middle and high school science teachers from 14 different Michigan school districts participated in “Feeding and Fueling the World” a Nourish the Future program held at MSU’s College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (pictured here).
Nourish the Future takes aim at middle and high school biology courses, when students are making decisions about their future career paths. It’s a national program brought to Michigan in 2023 by the Michigan Wheat Program and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan.
Click here for more information about Nourish the Future and to see their curricula ideas.
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MI Wheat Annual Grower Meeting set for Feb. 21 in Bath
Program to highlight Wheat Pete and Dennis Pennington
 Mark your calendars now for the Michigan Wheat Program’s 12th Annual Winter Grower Meeting. It’s set for 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Weds., Feb. 21, at the Eagle Eye Conference Center, 15500 Chandler Rd., in Bath.
“We are so happy to welcome back ‘Wheat Pete,’ Mr. Peter Johnson from Ontario,” said Jody Pollok-Newsom, executive director of the Michigan Wheat Program. “Pete has been very popular with our growers in the past, and this year we’ve asked him to make two presentations – the second of which we’re calling ‘Wheat Pete and Pennington Production Palooza’!”
Michigan Wheat’s Annual Winter Grower Meeting opens at 8:15 a.m. on February 21 with on-site registration and check-in, along with a traditional continental breakfast and an opportunity to visit industry representatives at their exhibits in the tradeshow. Presentations begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m.
“Our 2024 Annual Grower Meeting is particularly focused on new varieties, higher yields and how the Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network is driving production,” said Jeff Krohn, chairman of the Michigan Wheat Program Board and a wheat producer from Owendale. “We believe growers will pick up lots of good information at the meeting in February that they can put into practice in the 2024 growing season.”
The Michigan Wheat Program Annual Winter Meeting has the following tentative agenda:
- New Varieties and Varieties in the Marketplace
Dr. Eric Olson, Michigan State University (MSU) - invited
 High Yielding Wheat: Setting the Stage
Pete Johnson, Ontario Wheat Consultant (pictured)
BREAK – Industry Displays
- MI Wheat Program Update
Jody Pollok-Newsom, Executive Director
- What’s Happening at the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development?
Dr. Tim Boring, Director - invited
- Industry Displays & Lunch
- Three’s a Charm for Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN)
Dennis Pennington, MSU Wheat Specialist
- Wheat Pete and Pennington Production Palooza: How YEN Growers
are Reaching 150+ bu/acre!
Peter Johnson, Dennis Pennington
- Parting Thoughts: Tips and Reminders as You Hit the Field in 2024
Dennis Pennington, MSU Wheat Specialist
“The February meeting time has proved very convenient for our growers and researchers,” Krohn said. “The price is the same this year: Free to all Michigan wheat growers and stakeholders! It’s quite a bargain and a great use of a winter day.”
Growers should mark their calendars now. Registration launches on January 3, 2024. While attendance and lunch are free, pre-registration is requested to ensure adequate food, seating and handout materials.
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Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) registration now open!
 Registration is now open for Michigan wheat growers interested in joining the 2024 program of the Great Lakes YEN. The program is a deep dive into your farm’s yield potential with wheat, utilizing data, measurements, competitive spirit and benchmarks from comparable wheat growers.
If you are interested, registration is open now through February 2, 2024. To register or for more information on Great Lakes YEN visit https://www.GreatLakesYEN.com or look for the hashtag #GreatLakesYEN. The registration fee is $300.
Every farm involved in the Great Lakes YEN shares soil, tissue and whole plant analysis for comparison and benchmarking. Growers receive reports specific to their field at the end of the season, allowing the opportunity to learn more about how their wheat crop develops and produces yield, and how they compare to their peers.
“Throughout February and March, we will be assembling boxes with all the materials growers need to take the samples including pre-addressed and stamped envelopes, and getting those packages out,” said Jody Pollok-Newsom, executive director of the Michigan Wheat Program, the check-off program collaborating to bring the Great Lakes YEN to wheat farmers.
“We will also help first-time participants set up their access to the YEN database so they can enter their selected field. We need everything ready to go before growers head out into the fields this spring,” Pollok-Newsom said. “And when spring will happen is anyone’s guess!”
All of the organization and work put into the program has been grower-driven since the beginning of YEN in 2012 in the United Kingdom.
“With three years under our belt we have come a long way and have learned a lot about how wheat grows and produces yield,” said Dennis Pennington, YEN collaborator and Michigan State University wheat specialist. “The data we collect and report back to participants is proving to provide valuable insights into their farm operation and identify management practices that would improve yields”.
“In 2023, much of the grain fill period was cut short due to below normal rainfall or even drought conditions across the YEN region. Despite that, we set a new record-high yield in the YEN at 173 bushels per acre,” Pennington said.
As the fourth year of the Great Lakes YEN gets underway, it’s already proving to be a program that encourages farmers to try new things and learn from wheat growers across the Great Lakes region. Every field is different and has different yield potential based on a multitude of factors, such as environment (rainfall, sunlight), soil (water holding capacity, nutrient level), and management (inputs used and timing).
Growers are responsible to enter their data throughout the growing season.
When harvest is complete, data is compiled and reported back to each participant via a field-specific written report as well as through regional events. Individual farm data will be specific to each grower and is safeguarded and not reported back to anyone except that grower.
The Great Lakes YEN is built off the strong history of the Yield Enhancement Network developed in the United Kingdom in 2012. Through the collaboration of agricultural stakeholders in the Great Lakes region in the US and Ontario, the Great Lakes YEN connects farmers, agronomists, academics, extension specialists, agriculture organizations and more, to analyze, measure and understand yield potential vs. actual yield of a given field.
Sponsors note! This data-heavy program is very expensive and sponsors are welcome to help offset some of the costs. Companies interested in joining the Great Lakes YEN as sponsors, please reach out to the Michigan Wheat Program. Email Jody Pollok-Newsom at jody@miwheat.org.
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Register now for 6th Annual Underground Innovations conference
Michigan Agriculture Advancement (MiAA) is hosting its 6th Annual Underground Innovations conference at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Michigan on February 7-8.
The conference focuses on innovative farmers sharing information on cover crops, strip-till, relay cropping, food grade grains, intercropping, new crops, precision technology and new crop markets. Speakers will share how they've come to adopt new practices on their farms and where they’re looking to go in the future.
“Early bird” registration is $150 and ends Dec. 31st. January 1st, the registration fee increases to $175. If you need a scholarship, email julie@miagadvance.org to see if financial assistance is available. The fee covers registration, snacks and lunch on both days. Tickets are not refundable, but are transferrable.
The featured speaker is Ohio Farmer Les Seiler (pictured above). Additional speakers include:
- Marc Hasenick, Springport, Michigan farmer and former Michigan Wheat Program Board member
- Carl Wagner III, C3 Seeds, Niles, Michigan farmer and current member of the Michigan Wheat Program Board
- Additional farmers Tom Hess, Joel Layman, Emily MacDonald, George McManus, Wesley Rieth, Lisa Szymanski and James Weber who are also from Michigan
- Becky Huttenga, MI Farm Link, Ottawa County
- Dr. Tim Boring, Director, Michigan Dept. of Agriculture & Rural Development
- Chad Munger, Mammoth Distilling
Click here for the link to register for the event.
If you need lodging, a room block is being held at the Bavarian Inn Lodge until January 6. Call (855) 652-7200 and use the “underground innovations” block code.
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Got water?
Michigan’s 2024 Drainage Workshop comes to MSU Ag Engineering Feb. 27-29
MSU Extension and the Michigan Land Improvement Contractors of America will host Michigan’s 2024 Drainage Workshop coming up Feb. 27-29 on the MSU campus. The program takes place in Farrall Ag Engineering Hall, Room 106 at 524 S. Shaw Lane, East Lansing.
Program organizers say participants will learn about drainage design with user-friendly online tools and hands-on exercises. Participants will also learn to:
- Maximize profit with the free user-friendly Drain Spacing Tool
- Learn about installation, safety and legal considerations.
- Make contour maps with free QGIS software.
- Learn about controlled drainage design, blind inlet and saturated buffer.
- See how to properly connect a lateral to a main pipe.
- And learn about contemporary drainage design as well as conservation drainage practices.
Click here to see the full itinerary and register. Cost is $210 for the three-day workshop form now through Feb. 1, increasing to $300 on Feb. 2.
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Angie Setzer presents
Harvesting Prosperity: Managing Risk in the Michigan Market
 We’re passing on the word about an MSU Extension-sponsored “Harvesting Prosperity: Managing Risk in the Michigan Market” workshop at the AgroLiquid Conference Center in St. Johns, coming up Jan. 15 from 10 am – 3 pm.
The workshop features a roundtable discussion with leading Michigan grain merchandisers, ag leaders, crop insurance agents, Ontario merchandisers, and a South American market outlook presentation from Angie and Karl Setzer.
Registration including lunch is free, and you may reserve a seat by emailing angie@consusag.net.
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Get ready for Great Lakes Crop Summit!
 GLCS has established itself as one of the premier winter meetings for Michigan farmers. It’s set for January 24-25 at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant.
GLCS has nationally known keynote speakers and 28 break-out sessions focused on special interests.
Of particular note for Michigan wheat growers are sessions on:
- Mycotoxin management: What do we know? – Dr. Marty Chilvers (Jan. 24)
- Maximizing winter wheat yield and profitability – Dr. Shawn Conley, University of Wisconsin
- Record breaking wheat! - Joanna Follings, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
- How to achieve 170 bu./acre wheat yields: YEN farmer panel – Dennis Pennington, MSU
- Emerging markets with Michigan craft distillers – multiple presenters
Click here for a full look at the two-day program. You must register for the event and also make your hotel reservations at Soaring Eagle soon while rooms are still available!
The Michigan Wheat Program along with the Michigan Soybean Committee and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan are the three key hosts of the event, with numerous other sponsors making this event happen.
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2024 MSU Extension Crop and Pest Management Update meetings begin in the New Year
 MSU Extension will host 10 Crop and Pest Management Updates for field crop producers, agronomists and agribusiness employees this winter. One of the programs will also be offered virtually. All programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration/sign-in and end by 3 p.m. RUP and CCA credits will be available, with credit numbers varying by site.
Participants of the Crop and Pest Management Updates will hear MSU Extension specialists present the latest recommendations for managing weeds, diseases, and other pests and receive a copy of the MSU 2024 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops (E-434). The cost of Weed Guides is covered thanks to the generous support of the Michigan Wheat Program, Michigan Soybean Committee, and Corn Marketing Program of Michigan.
Topics covered at the programs will be determined by the local host and will vary depending on priorities in each region. Detailed agendas for all programs are available online or by calling the host Extension office.
See our Calendar of Events below for dates and locations of these Update meetings.
Attendees pay $40 for actual meeting costs including a light breakfast and lunch. The virtual registration fee for the Isabella County program is the same.
Pre-registration online is required to ensure an accurate count for meals and materials. Please register at least one week before the event you plan to attend. Click here to register. Register soon as space is limited at some locations.
- Jan. 4 — Virtual, Zoom. Contact Isabella County Extension at (989) 317-4079
- Jan. 4 — Brimley (proctored site), Waishkey Bay Farm, 10135 W. Mills Rd, Brimley. Contact Isabella County Extension Office at (989) 317-4079.
- Jan. 4 — Chatham (proctored site), Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, E3774 University Dr., Chatham. Contact Isabella County Extension Office at (989) 317-4079.
- Jan. 4 — Rogers City (proctored site), Presque Isle County Building, Commissioners Room, 106 E. Huron Ave, Rogers City. Contact Isabella County Extension Office at (989) 317-4079.
- Jan. 4 — Stephenson, MSU Extension Office, S. 904 Highway 41, Stephenson. Contact Isabella County Extension Office at (989) 317-4079.
- Jan. 9 — Ithaca, Gratiot Isabella Regional Education Service District, 1131 E. Center St., Ithaca. Contact Gratiot County Extension Office at (989) 875-5233.
- Jan. 16 — Peck, Sanilac Career Center, 175 E Aitken Rd., Peck. Contact Huron County MSU Extension Office at (989) 269-9949. Attended by Jody Pollok-Newsom, Michigan Wheat Program.
- Jan. 29 — Dowagiac, Dowagiac Conservation Club, 54551 M-51 North, Dowagiac. Contact the St. Joseph MSU Extension Office at (269) 467-5511.
- Feb. 5 — Dundee, Old Mill Museum, 242 Toledo St., Dundee. Contact Jackson County Extension office at (517) 788-4292.
- Feb. 8 — Frankenmuth, Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center, 3775 S. Reese Rd., Frankenmuth. Contact Lapeer County Extension Office at (810) 667-0341. MI Wheat executive director Jody Pollok-Newsom will be at this event.
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National Wheat Foundation now accepting applications for scholarship to ag students
 The National Wheat Foundation is now accepting applications for the Jerry Minore Scholarship, honoring students pursuing a career in agriculture. The scholarship is available to college students for the 2024 academic year, with an application deadline of December 31st. Two $2,500 scholarships are available.
Click here for more information.
“The scholarship is meant to support students’ efforts who have a passion for agriculture in their studies,” said Joe Kejr, Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation. “We hope to see these students play a key role in developing sound ag policy, research new technologies, or other discoveries important to wheat growers, agriculture, and society.”
The late Jerry Minore was a BASF Senior Market Manager and a liaison to the wheat industry. Since his unexpected death in 2012, BASF has partnered with the National Wheat Foundation to fund scholarships and honor his advocacy efforts for wheat growers.
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Calendar of events
 In addition to the Christmas and New Year holidays, it’s winter meeting season! Please let the Michigan Wheat Program know if you have an event of interest to wheat growers coming up. We’ll add it to our monthly newsletter and website calendar. Drop an email to jody@miwheat.org!
Jan. 4 – Virtual Option, Crop and Pest Management Update. Contact Isabella County Extension at (989) 317-4079.
Jan. 4 - Crop and Pest Management Update (proctored site), Waishkey Bay Farm, 10135 W. Mills Rd, Brimley. (989) 317-4079
Jan. 4 - Crop and Pest Management Update (proctored site), Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, E3774 University Dr., Chatham. (989) 317-4079.
Jan. 4 - Crop and Pest Management Update (proctored site), Presque Isle County Building, Commissioners Room, 106 E. Huron Ave, Rogers City. (989) 317-4079.
Jan. 4 - Crop and Pest Management Update, MSU Extension Office, S. 904 Highway 41, Stephenson. (989) 317-4079.
Jan. 9 - Crop and Pest Management Update, Gratiot Isabella Regional Education Service District, 1131 E. Center St., Ithaca. (989) 875-5233.
Jan. 15, 2024 – Harvesting Prosperity, Angie Setzer seminar, AgroLiquid Conference Center, St. Johns.
Jan. 16 - Crop and Pest Management Update, Sanilac Career Center, 175 E Aitken Rd., Peck. (989) 269-9949.
Jan. 24-25 - Great Lakes Crop Summit, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. Pleasant
Jan. 29 - Crop and Pest Management Update, Dowagiac Conservation Club, 54551 M-51 North, Dowagiac. (269) 467-5511.
Feb. 5 - Crop and Pest Management Update, Old Mill Museum, 242 Toledo St., Dundee. (517) 788-4292.
Feb. 7-8 – Underground Innovations Conference, Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth.
Feb. 8 - Crop and Pest Management Update, Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center, 3775 S. Reese Rd., Frankenmuth. (810) 667-0341
Feb. 21 – Michigan Wheat Program Annual Winter Meeting, Eagle Eye Conference Center, Bath.
Feb. 27-29 – Michigan’s 2024 Drainage Workshop
June 25 – Michigan Wheat Program Summer Field Day, MSU Extension Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center, Frankenmuth.
The staff and Board of the Michigan Wheat Program wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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