Winter Wheat Trials with Response to Composts for Maine

View the project final report

Commodities

• Agronomic: wheat

Practices

• Production Systems: general crop production
• Soil Management: composting

A full evaluation winter wheat trial using a minimum of 8 varieties and 3 composts from Maine sources. Soft and hard wheats from many sources will be used. Record results of yields, disease resistance, lodging, protein analysis, baking/cereal/milling qualities for each variety, public and professional evaluation of finished products by labwork, other farm collaborators, a bakery in side by side comparisons including cost of input. To promote the viability of winter wheats for Maine and demonstrate the effects of locally available composts on the quality of the different wheats. Maine and other New England states have a considerable need for many grains for both livestock production and human consumption. Wheat products are primary to consumer products, straw, grain and their by products are primary to livestock production, the majority of which are imported. There are a number of negating "myths" to be dispelled about good quality wheat production in Maine. This project is to demonstrate the viability of producing organic wheat and its value added products and to enhance the quality of the crop using locally available composts.