Growing winter wheat in Mississippi leaves no rest for the weary, as planting begins just as soon as the summer row crops are out of the field.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted the state’s winter wheat was 29 percent planted by Oct. 31. It is on schedule for the five-year average, but a good bit behind last year’s early start that saw 45 percent of the wheat planted before November.
Erick Larson, grain crops agronomist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said this fall, Mississippi producers are expected to plant at least 500,000 acres of wheat. This is similar to or higher than the amount harvested earlier this year. The state’s average wheat production is about 50 to 55 bushels per acre. Well-managed fields often produce more than 70 bushels per acre.

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