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Grain Market Specialist Has A Tip For Wheat Farmers This Year - "Focus On Quality"

Sep 16, 2016
By Dr. Kim Anderson
Grain Market Specialist
 
Grain Market Specialist Has a Tip for Wheat Farmers This Year -
 
Oklahoma State University Extension Grains Market Analyst Dr. Kim Anderson talks strategy for wheat farmers with SUNUP's Lyndall Stout this week- and explains what producers need to concentrate on over the next few years. According to Dr. Anderson, the world market is currently flooded with not just wheat, but for the most part all other grains as well. He says if you were to look back at 2000 and years past beyond that, you would find that neither Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and others were exporting zero bushels of wheat. Today, those same countries have collectively dumped 1.9 billion bushels of wheat into the global market that less than two decades ago, where not there. Which in effect has drastically lowered the price of wheat. The good news, Dr. Anderson says, is that worldwide, wheat crops have been of low protein and quality - opening a little room for strategy.
 
For farmers that have already planted this year or plan to, Dr. Anderson insists that focus should be on producing a quality, high protein crop that is good for milling. Wheat like that is difficult to find right now and he believes the market will pay for a high quality product. Farmers already are looking at reducing their input costs, but Dr. Anderson believes this would be a mistake. The only way to compete now in international trade will be to outperform our competitors with better quality. Dr. Anderson says monocropping is becoming a thing of the past. He says farmers need to begin looking at rotating crops to break weed and disease cycles that only bloat the cost of production. You can watch their visit tomorrow or Sunday on SUNUP- but you can hear Kim's comments right now by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below. 
 
Beyond Lyndall's weekly chat with Dr. Anderson- the SUNUP crew has a very full lineup for your viewing this weekend:
 
This week on SUNUP, the 2016 fair tour continues with a stop in Blackwell for the 99th Kay County Free Fair.
 
-Tom Royer offers management advice on controlling fall armyworms in wheat and canola fields.
 
-In Cow-Calf Corner, Glenn Selk discusses ways to ensure yearly replacement heifers are ready for fall breeding season. 
 
-Next, Dave Lalman explains the benefits of stockpiling bermudagrass to meet cattle feeding needs during fall and winter.
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