SANDUSKY, Mich. — The Michigan Wheat Program and Michigan State University will host day-long meetings later this month to help wheat growers learn how to increase crop yields.

Phil Needham of Needham Technologies has an agronomic consulting firm based in Kentucky and gives presentations all over the country on wheat-related topics. Martin Nagelkirk, extension educator at MSU and the lead for extension efforts in wheat, said Needham is someone who’s known around the country, especially the Midwest.

“He’s probably one of the better known presenters,” Nagelkirk said. “He gives an outside view that is pretty much on target. It’s good for growers to hear from somebody outside Michigan. He’s a name that quite a few people in the industry recognize. He’s been all over, so it’s good to hear what others are doing.”

Needham, originally from Great Britain, moved to the United States in 1989 and joined Miles Enterprises as an agronomist. Later he was promoted to Opti-Crop, a division within Miles Enterprises, as manager in 1996. There he managed a team of crop consultants and crop management projects from Texas to Manitoba and from Virginia to Washington state.

His tips to wheat growers include: look at incorporating tramlines to help avoid compaction; think seriously about incorporating no-till practices; rotate crops to avoid diseases; use quality treated seed; and use shorter varieties which stand better, capture more nitrogen and offer better yield potential. He also advises growers to ensure their combine does a good job of dispersing residue properly and to test their soil to determine which nutrients should be increased for higher yields.

Nagelkirk said there’s “competition” in the minds of farmers over what to grow. “We would like wheat to be competitive,” he said. “The wheat industry is important to the grain elevator industry, millers as well as growers. It’s important to all of Michigan’s economy.

“Our hope is that (the meeting) will increase the profitability of wheat in Michigan. We value the wheat industry. With corn and soybeans doing so well, wheat seems to be falling by the wayside a little bit. We all have a vested interest in wheat doing well.”

Nagelkirk will also be at the meeting to talk about information resources for wheat growers. MSU associate professor William Kirk, an expert on plant pathology, will discuss fungicide strategies, and Gary Powell, a research technician at MSU, will give a presentation on weed management techniques.

The meeting will take place on two separate dates and locations. They will both be from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The first will be Feb. 27 at the Comfort Inn and Suites at 2424 S. Mission in Mount Pleasant. The second will take place Feb. 28 at Cabela’s, 110 Cabela Boulevard East in Dundee.

Registration is $25 per person. Make check payable to MSU Extension and mail to: MSU Extension Sanilac County, 37 Austin St., Sandusky, MI 48471. Those registering for a meeting are asked to indicate which day they plan to attend. For more information, call Nagelkirk at 810-648-2515.