Kansas State University wheat specialist Romulo Lollato advises farmers to consider the broader benefits of winter wheat when deciding whether to include it in their crop rotations. He points out that wheat acres in Kansas have been declining by about 2% annually since 2005, with a national decline of 1.5%. While many management decisions are based on crop profitability, overlooking winter wheat may mean missing out on benefits like extended planting windows, flexible fertilization, and grazing opportunities.

Winter wheat offers a longer planting period compared to summer crops, with growers in warmer regions having up to 60 days to reach optimal yields. Fertilizing winter wheat also provides a longer window, allowing producers to align nitrogen applications with favorable weather. In addition, winter wheat provides high-quality forage for livestock during late fall, winter, and early spring.

Though grain prices can vary, winter wheat in crop rotations allows for double-cropping, increasing production and profitability. Other advantages include weed suppression, moisture conservation, and carbon sequestration. To promote these benefits, Lollato and Aaron Harries from Kansas Wheat have launched an information campaign called “Wheat: Beyond the Value of the Grain.”