BLOOMINGTON — Illinois Wheat Association is inviting farmers and researchers to tour wheat fields and take estimate yields of the winter wheat crop during its annual Wheat Plot Tour on May 21 at the Southern Illinois University Belleville Research Center.
The tour will include field checks during the day with a late afternoon reporting session at the SIU Belleville Research Center, 2036 Charles Lane, Belleville. Tour participants will have an opportunity to view wheat variety and seed treatment trials at the Belleville Center, as well as listen to scouting results and the wheat yield estimates.
Four tour groups will set out at 9 a.m. on May 21 to visit various wheat fields and gather yield estimates throughout southern Illinois. Groups will stop twice per county to take estimates. Those interested in participating are asked to call one of the four following crop scouting group leaders in advance to confirm involvement and meeting location the day of the tour:
Siemer Milling Company, 111 W. Main St., Teutopolis, IL. Tour leaders Brian Semple will take groups through Effingham, Shelby, Fayette, Jasper, Clay, Coles and Richland Counties. Call 217-857-3131 or email bsemple@siemermilling.com to register for the tour.
Mennel Milling Company of Illinois, 415 E. Main St., Mt. Olive, IL. Tour leader Mark Miller will take groups through Macoupin, Montgomery, Madison and Bond Counties. Call 217-999-2161 or email mmiller@mennel.com to register for the tour.
AgriMAXX Wheat Seed Company, 7167 Highbanks Rd., Mascoutah, IL. Tour leader Matt Wehmeyer will take groups through St. Clair, Randolph, Washington, Marion and Perry Counties. Call 855-629-9432, or email matt@agrimaxxwheat.com to register for the tour.
Wabash Valley FS Services Co., 10931 Coal Mine Rd., McLeansboro, IL. Tour leader Aaron Hunsinger will take groups through White, Hamilton, Gallatin and Wayne Counties. Call 618-384-0243, or email aaron.hunsinger@basf.com to register for the tour.
Those wishing to take samples on their own and join the groups at the Belleville Research Center at 4 p.m. should contact the IWA for yield measurement instructions to ensure sampling procedures are consistent.
The event will conclude with a tour of the SIU research plots by Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, assistant professor of small grains breeding with University of Illinois, presentations from morning tour leaders discussing their findings, and a group dinner. Guest speaker Dr. Briana Whitaker with the USDA will also discuss her research on DON and Micotoxin.
Participants are asked to RSVP for the tour and group dinner by May 14. For more information or to register, visit web.illinoiswheat.org/events/2024-Illinois-Wheat-Plot-Tour-21230/details.
The Illinois Wheat Association is a member organization serving all aspects of the Illinois wheat industry, from producer to processor. Illinois Wheat Association provides educational opportunities, encourages research relating to wheat and wheat products, promotes marketing alternatives and represents its members in state and federal legislative activities relating to the needs of the Illinois wheat industry.