Analyzing Wheat Alternatives in the South

By Francisco Abello

Southern wheat producers are experiencing significant losses this year due to low prices, weather conditions, and a shortage of stockers for grazing. To maximize returns or minimize losses, farmers must evaluate whether producing wheat for grain, grazing, or hay is most financially viable under current market and production conditions.

We have a Wheat and Small Grains Decision Aid (Link) to help farmers decide whether to use wheat for grain, grazing, or baling. To make an informed choice, compare the prices of grazing, wheat hay, and grain, expected yields, production costs, crop rotation options, available equipment, and insurance coverage. What follows is an example analysis with basic assumptions, check out the decision aid to include your operation-specific data.

Although all alternatives show negative returns this year, hay production continues to offer higher profits under similar conditions. In this example, baling hay is more favorable due to lower wheat grain prices. Actual results will depend on your wheat bale prices and may vary if you own harvesting or baling equipment.

Grazing is also more favorable if farmers were able to graze wheat early, have sufficient moisture and forage, and enough livestock to maximize beef production.