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February 15, 2021
In This Edition:
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Wheat-tastic Wheat Wisdom Wednesday Webinars go live – Facebook Live, that is
 The Michigan Wheat Program’s six-part Wheat Wisdom Webinar series kicks off this week both via Zoom and Facebook Live, at 8 a.m. this Weds., February 17.
Each Wednesday webinar (schedule below) begins at 8 a.m. and runs 90 minutes and will now be brought to you via Facebook Live in addition to the Zoom option.
Check in through your Facebook account and watch at Michigan Wheat or MSU Extension Field Crops. Thanks to our partnership with Terry Henne and WSGW you can also watch by viewing the Facebook pages of WSGW Radio, Farm Service 790 and 94.5 The Moose.
Neither CCA nor RUP credits are available for the sessions when viewed on Facebook Live. To get the credits, you must participate via Zoom, so plan accordingly.
To learn more about the upcoming webinars, view the recording of our Facebook Live promo from Monday, Feb. 15, featuring Terry Henne, Jody Pollok-Newsom and Dennis Pennington. Click here to watch it now!
Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday!!
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Happening THIS Wednesday! Sign up now!!
Wheat-tastic Wheat Wisdom Wednesday Webinar #1: Marketing guru Angie Setzer
Kick-off speaker for the six-week Michigan Wheat Program Wheat Wisdom Wednesday webinar series is Angie Setzer, Vice President of Grain for Citizens Elevator, LLC, in Charlotte, Michigan. Setzer manages five elevator locations and a state-of-the-art on-farm program.
Nationally-known in the grain marketing business, Setzer will speak on current market conditions and provide an overview of what wheat producers should be prepared for in the months and years to come.
Setzer‘s years of experience running a diverse and unique direct ship cash grain program, coupled with her current position at Citizens Elevator, has given her an in-depth understanding of basis, spreads and futures in the grains market.
This knowledge and experience translate into an ability to help her customers see the flow of cash grain and prices, maximizing margins and returning solid results.
Setzer’s "Cash is King" weekly column in Pro Farmer focuses on the developments in the cash grains market, and ways producers can take advantage of developing opportunities. Angie has over 23,000 followers on Twitter, where she’s known as the @GoddessofGrain.
Her opinions are sought out by national media including AgDay, U.S. Farm Report, Market to Market and the Weather Channel. Setzer also makes regular appearances on Agritalk, Benzinga’s Pre-Market Prep show, and several syndicated radio programs.
You won’t want to miss Setzer’s market-focused presentation during the first Michigan Wheat Program’s Wheat Wisdom Wednesday Webinar, so register now for Angie or any of the other speakers! Click here to register. The link to join the event will be sent out the prior to the event.
1 RUP and 1 CCA credit are available for those attending on Michigan Wheat’s Zoom link. Make sure you take the survey at the end of the event to enter your information in order to receive your credits. Also, be ready to indicate for which year you need credits as you have the option of choosing 2019, 2020 or 2021.
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Happening NEXT Weds., Feb. 24: Phil Needham! Register now!!
Wheat-tastic Wheat Wisdom Wednesday webinar #2: Wheat crop management with British flair by way of Kentucky
 On Feb. 24, popular wheat expert Phil Needham of Needham Ag Technologies of Calhoun, Kentucky, will present Fall Wheat Management and Combine Residue Management.
Needham grew up on a family farm in Eastern England, graduating from Lincolnshire College of Agriculture and then The Cranfield University with a 4-year agricultural technology degree.
He moved to the US in 1989 to expand a European crop management program that’s credited with doubling Kentucky wheat yields over 20 years.
After founding Needham Ag Technologies in 2006, he began working directly with Midwest growers and gives 70 crop management and equipment seminars a year. He has written five books on winter and spring wheat management, and has an alliance with Farm Journal Media, writing articles and conducting Farm Journal Wheat College events.
Needham is considered a “vehicle of technology” for the way he transfers wheat management research and experience between different production regions.
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The rest of the wheat-tastic Wheat Wisdom Wednesday webinar series
For 2021, Michigan Wheat Program executive director Jody Pollok-Newsom, MSU wheat specialist Dennis Pennington and the MSU Extension team have worked hard to line up six short, powerful on-line learning events for wheat growers watching from their home offices.
 The entire speaker line-up is as follows:
Feb. 17, 8-9:30 am – Angie Setzer, Wheat Marketing, Vice President of Grain, Citizens Elevator, LLC, of Charlotte, Michigan
Feb. 24, 8-9:30 am – Phil Needham, Fall Wheat Management and Combine Residue Management, Needham Ag Technologies of Calhoun, Kentucky
Mar. 3, 8-9:30 am – Dr. Romulo Lollato, Checkoff into Practice: Research on high-yielding wheat in Kansas, Associate Professor of Wheat and Forages Production, Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas
March 10, 8 am-9:30 am – Dr. Pete Berry, Enhancing Wheat Yields in Europe and the US, Head of Crop Physiology and Principal Scientist, ADAS, in North Yorkshire, England
March 17, 8-9:30 am – Peter Johnson, Fine Tuning Wheat, Wheat Expert and retired Provincial Cereal Specialist for Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Ontario, Canada
March 24, 8-9:30 am – Dennis Pennington, Wheat Crop & Research Update, Wheat Specialist, Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan
Click here to review a copy of the brochure for the webinar series and to register. Each session will include an update on Michigan Wheat Program happenings, the main speaker and time for a question-and-answer session. You will receive a confirmation to know we have received your registration. The Monday afternoon prior to the event you will receive a reminder email with the link to the zoom webinar.
Each session provides 1 CCA and 1 RUP credit for those who watch it live via the Michigan Wheat Program’s Zoom link. Make sure you take the survey at the end of the event to enter your information in order to receive your credits. Also, be ready to indicate for which year you need credits as you have the option of choosing 2019, 2020 or 2021 to fulfill the requirements necessary for the license expirations that have been extended.
As is customary, admission to the Michigan Wheat Program's 2021 Wheat Wisdom Webinars will be free of charge to Michigan wheat farmers and friends of the Michigan wheat industry with advance registration. The Monday prior to the webinar, you will receive a reminder email with the link and access to the Zoom webinar
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All three winners grow Michigan wheat!
Michigan Wheat Program board alum Frank Vyskocil named Master Farmer of 2021
 Recently term-limited off the board of the Michigan Wheat Program, former board treasurer and New Lothrup wheat farmer Frank Vyskocil has put another feather in his cap: One of Michigan’s 2021 Master Farmers!
Vyskocil received word of the honor in January 2021, from the Michigan Farm Journal which runs the program. For more than 60 years, Vyskocil has tended 3,000 acres of Shiawassee County farmland planted to certified seed wheat, corn, soybeans and seed beans.
Because his father passed away when Vyskocil was 14 years old, he quickly became a constant student, incorporating technology and expanding and improving his father’s farm.
“In addition to serving on the state wheat board, he also went to national meetings for the National Association of Wheat Growers to bring more learning and perspectives back to Michigan,” says Jody Pollok-Newsom, executive director of the MWP, who nominated Vyskocil for the honor.
“Frank is a very good farmer and was always an active participant in discussions on funding of research projects. He was particularly focused on what would make the most financial sense for growers,” she said.
Besides managing and working the farm, Vyskocil has been a Corunna Public Schools board member for 24 years, member of Corunna Public Schools Education Foundation, member of the Corunna FFA Alumni Association, past Western Fraternal Life Association/ZCBJ Lodge #242 board member, chairman of the Hazelton Township Board of Review, member of St Joseph Catholic Church in Owosso, member of the Michigan Corn Growers Association, Michigan Farm Bureau and the Michigan Crop Improvement Association.
The other 2021 Master Farmer winners were:
- Waldron Farms of Stanton, producer of corn, dry beans, wheat, soybeans, oats, hay and rye.
- Jim Wilson of Yale, producer of corn, soybeans and wheat.
Click here to see the cumulative list of Michigan Master Farmers since 2005.
Click here to read Michigan Farmer editor Jennifer Kiel’s story of Vyskocil’s journey from young grower to Master Farmer.
Click here to watch the video of Frank's story in his own words.
The Michigan Master Farmers were nominated by their peers and selected for their exceptional management, innovation, conservation, leadership and community involvement.
The awards are presented by the Michigan Farmer Magazine and sponsored by Brownfield Ag News, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Michigan Agricultural Commodities, the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Michigan Soybean Committee, Michigan Wheat Program and Wilbur-Ellis.
Plans are to award the 2020 Master Farmer winners along with the 2021 Master Farmer winners at the 2022 Great Lakes Crop Summit next January. The Michigan Wheat Program co-sponsors the awards along with the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan.
Be sure to congratulate Frank next time you see him!
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Michigan Wheat’s 2019-2020 Annual Report now on website
 The Michigan Wheat Program is proud to announce that its 2019-2020 Annual Report is now live on the website. Click here for a quick read to find out what we’ve been up to.
All wheat growers on file with the Michigan Wheat Program will also receive a printed copy of the Annual Report – along with a bonus publication we’ll announce soon – in their US mailbox, as well.
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Notes from Pennington & Nagelkirk:
Winterkill in winter wheat
By Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat specialist (pennin34@msu.edu)
and Martin Nagelkirk, MSUE wheat educator (retired)
Wheat sometimes has difficulty surviving Michigan’s winter – and this certainly has been a cold one!
 The term “winterkill” is trade jargon that generally refers to wheat succumbing to any stress that occurs during the winter or early spring. Winter stresses that most often lead to wintertime injury or winterkill include cold temperatures, lack of snow cover, poor water infiltration, water ponding which leads to ice sheeting, diseases and late planting.
While winterkill usually makes its way into crop scouting reports each year, the number of fields with damage and resulting yield losses is poorly understood. Year-to-year and field-to-field variability make it difficult to track and quantify.
So far in Winter 2021, Michigan wheat is in good shape despite having experienced some recent cold temperatures. On the other hand, the crop still needs to survive late February and March when stresses related to water ponding and ice sheeting most often occur.
Answer me this – winterkill survey responses needed
MSU researchers, MSU Wheat Specialist Dennis Pennington and the Michigan Wheat Program want to learn more about winter injury from our farmers and agribusiness to further the scope of a research project looking at winterkill issues.
A brief survey has just been released to assess farmer and agribusiness understanding about what causes winterkill, quantify the frequency and extent of damage, and find out if new management options were discovered whether farmers would use them.
Click here to answer the 17-question survey!
It should take only a few minutes to complete, and will help MSU and the Michigan Wheat Program determine how much of a priority winterkill is for Michigan winter wheat farmers. Thank you!
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Tune in Monday evenings Feb. 15 – March 22
2021 Field Crops Webinar Series = “Management Decisions that Pay!”
Growers, consultants and agribusiness professionals are invited to participate in a series of six online programs addressing field crop production and pest management. All sessions take place from 7-8 pm on Mondays, beginning February 15 and running through March 22.
Learn more about enhancing your wheat, corn, soybean and small grain production systems in the coming season – including the live on-line opportunity to ask questions of university agricultural experts.
The 2021 theme is Management Decisions that Pay, and each session will focus on the economics of various crop, pest and marketing management strategies.
Feb. 22, 7-8 pm Improving Soybean Production Income – Mike Staton, soybean educator, MSU
March 1, 7-8 pm Improving Wheat Production Income – Dennis Pennington, wheat specialist, MSU
Editor’s note: MSU wheat specialist Dennis Pennington’s March 1 talk will focus on the economic impacts of adding wheat into the crop rotation through such benefits as improved soil health and resiliency, more opportunities for weed control, breakup of insect/disease cycles, and improved corn/soybean yields. He’ll also evaluate key agronomic aspects of wheat management to show how properly managed wheat can improve overall farm profitability.
March 8, 7-8 pm Weed Control: Effective Options for Tough Weeds at Different Price Points – Dr. Christy Sprague and Erin Burns, weed management specialists, MSU
March 15, 7-8 pm Crop Fertility Decisions: When Less is More and When Less is Less – Dr. Kurt Steinke, soil fertility specialist, and Jon LaPorte, farm business management educator, MSU
March 22, 7-8 pm Grain Price Outlook and Marketing Strategies – Matt Gammans, agricultural economist, MSU
One MDARD Pesticide Recertification (RUP) Credit is available through each live webinar for application to one of the following categories: Private Core, Commercial Core or Field Crops. One continuing education credit (CEU) for Certified Crop Advisers will also be available for each live session.
The sessions will be recorded, and participants can view the programs independently online at a later date. (No credits available for viewing recordings.)
Registration is $20 for the full series of six webinars or $5 per individual webinar session. Click here for more information. Registration includes this year’s MSU Weed Guide, which is again financially supported by the Michigan Wheat Program, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and Corn Marketing Program of Michigan.
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Now how about your Tuesdays?
Michigan wheat, corn and soybean check-offs come together for 3 Tuesday evening marketing workshops
The Michigan Wheat Program along with Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and the Michigan Soybean Committee have just announced a three-part evening webinar series on the basics of grain marketing.
- Feb. 23, 7-9 pm – Session 1 on Fundamentals
- March 2, 7-9 pm – Session 2 on Strategies
- March 9, 7-9 pm – Session 3 on Application
All sessions will be led by Matt Gammans, MSU assistant professor of agricultural, food and resource economics.
“This workshop will provide a brief overview of the pricing tools available to producers, including cash sales, forward contracts, hedging, options and minimum price contracts,” Gammans said. “The goal is that attendees will understand the basics of how these tools work and have more confidence when considering expanding the set of pricing tools they use.”
There is no cost to attend. Registration is being handled by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan - click here to register. A link to the live event will be sent prior to the workshop.
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More online learning: “MI Ag Ideas to Grow With,” Feb. 15-19
 A combined online learning program takes place this week, Feb. 15-19. It is an online blend of Ag Action Day, Branch County Farmers Day and Southwest Michigan Horticulture Days. MSU Extension reports it has specific educational tracks with programs occurring at the top of each hour throughout the week.
MSU wheat specialist Dennis Pennington will present at 2 pm Tues., Feb. 16, on “Soybean and Wheat Management Considerations for 2021,” along with Mike Staton as part of the Field Crops Series.
Click here to visit the website and learn about the many available courses, many with RUP credit. MSU https://canr.msu.edu/miagideas/ There is no cost to register, but you must register ahead of time to get the Zoom link for the session.
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Federal COVID relief: Something in it for you?
And yet one more online information option: “The Return of Coronavirus Relief Programs for Agriculture” webinar. While this issue of Wheat Wisdom was scheduled after the live online session, MSU extension educator Phil Katz assures us that the recorded version will be just as informative.
Speaker Dr. Corey Clark, MSU Extension farm business management educator, will give farmers an update on the return of federal COVID relief legislation as it applies to agriculture. He notes there are provisions that apply to nearly all farm business including the Payroll Protection Program, employee retention credits, economic injury disaster loans and other program updates.
This session covered the who, what, and how of the “alphabet soup” of COVID relief (e.g., PPP, EIDL, ERC), along with recordkeeping requirements and farm management implications. Click here to connect with the recorded presentation.
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Calendar of events
 As they say, everything is “different” this year! But the winter calendar is packed with stay home, stay safe educational meetings.
We’re hoping we will see you in person by our Summer Field Day in June.
Until then, these events should keep you plenty informed!
- Feb. 15-19 - MI Ag Ideas to Grow With online learning event.
- Feb. 16, 2 pm - MI Ag Ideas to Grow With - Soybean and Wheat Considerations by Dennis Pennington
- Feb. 17, 8-9:30 am – Michigan Wheat Program Wheat Wisdom Webinar #1: Angie Setzer, Marketing
- Feb. 22, 7-8 pm Improving Soybean Production Income – Mike Staton, soybean educator, MSU
- Feb. 23, 7-9 pm - Wheat/Corn/Soybean Marketing Workshop, Session 1 on Fundamentals
- Feb. 24, 8-9:30 am – MWP Wheat Wisdom Webinar #2: Phil Needham, Fall Wheat Management and Combine Residue Management
- March 1, 7-8 pm Field Crops Webinar Series: Improving Wheat Production Income – Dennis Pennington, wheat specialist, MSU
- March 2, 7-9 pm – Wheat/Corn/Soybean Marketing Workshop, Session 2 on Strategies
- March 3, 8-9:30 am – MWP Wheat Wisdom Webinar #3: Dr. Romulo Lollato, Checkoff into Practice: Research on high-yielding wheat in Kansas
- March 8, 7-8 pm Field Crops Webinar Series: Weed Control - Effective Options for Tough Weeds at Different Price Points – Dr. Christy Sprague and Erin Burns, weed management specialists, MSU
- March 9, 7-9 pm - Wheat/Corn/Soybean Marketing Workshop, Session 3 on Application
- March 10, 8 am-9:30 am – MWP Wheat Wisdom Webinar #4: Dr. Pete Berry, Enhancing Wheat Yields in Europe and the US
- March 15, 7-8 pm Field Crops Webinar Series: Crop Fertility Decisions - When Less is More and When Less is Less – Dr. Kurt Steinke, soil fertility specialist, and Jon LaPorte, farm business management educator, MSU
- March 17, 8-9:30 am – MWP Wheat Wisdom Webinar #5: Peter Johnson, Fine Tuning Wheat
- March 22, 7-8 pm Field Crops Webinar Series: Grain Price Outlook and Marketing Strategies – Matt Gammans, agricultural economist, MSU
- March 24, 8-9:30 am – MWP Wheat Wisdom Webinar #6: Dennis Pennington, Wheat Crop & Research Update
- June 9, 2021 – MICHIGAN WHEAT PROGRAM SUMMER FIELD DAY, MSU Pathology Farm, Lansing.
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