Have You Considered Wheat?
Pat Clements, Chairman
Kentucky Small Grain Promotion Council
Wheat has not been known as a chief commodity in Kentucky due to higher production challenges when compared to corn and soybeans, but I’d encourage you to take another look.
We have allocated more than $4.5 million to wheat and small grain research efforts over the past 30 years to give our farmers the tools to earn extra income on their grain acres. We will be accepting new research proposals for the next round of funding through June, and our board members have asked investigators to look at topics such as sustainability, inputs, and soil health. A full list of guiding principles and ideas can be found on our website, but we welcome any additional input from growers.
Aside from market opportunities and research, we are also focused on legislation. Our number one goal for the next farm bill is protecting crop insurance, followed by getting better coverage at a lower cost and then updating the reference price, which is not relevant to today’s cost of production.
Latest News
Kentucky Wheat Summary
Events & Education
Wheat Field Day - May 14, 2024
Learn about our Rye Project and Soil Conservation
This video from The Nature Conservancy features several Kentucky farmers, including KySGGA president Sam Halcomb.
Our Programs
Research & Variety Testing
More than $2.5 million have been directed to research projects aimed at increasing profitability for Kentucky's small grain farmers. See the latest list of projects and research reports.
Market Development
We are dedicated to strengthening existing markets and finding new markets for Kentucky's small grain farmers. Specialty food products and a growing brewing and distilling industry are new opportunities. Learn more
Grower Education
Providing the latest agronomic and marketing information helps growers make decisions on their farms for maximum profitability. See our list of production resources and education events.
Gifts of Grain
KySGGA has established an endowment fund at the University of Kentucky to ensure the advancement of production research. KySGGA will match grower and private company contributions up to $50,000. Learn more
Consumer Education & Promotion
Promoting the benefits of small grain foods is the first step in developing strong markets. This is accomplished through consumer and classroom programs. Learn how we promote grain foods.
Wheat Yield Contests
KySGGA sponsors the annual Kentucky Wheat Yield Production Contest administered by the University of Kentucky. Each state (convention and no-till categories) and area winners receive a cash prize. Learn more
Snapshot of Kentucky's Small Grain Production
The USDA released the results from the 2017 Ag Census in 2019. We made note of the farms and acres devoted to small grain production in the Commonwealth. While the Kentucky Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Office regularly keeps data on wheat produced within the Commonwealth, the 5-year census is the only document that reports on lesser small grains.
