Wheat Lessons From The East Coast

Wheat's On Your Mind

Maryland wheat farmers juggle humidity, disease pressure, poultry markets, and tighter nutrient rules, yet Jason Scott says there is still room to raise strong wheat and make smart management decisions. In this episode, Aaron Harries visits with Jason Scott, a sixth-generation farmer from Maryland’s Eastern Shore who grows soft red winter wheat alongside corn, soybeans, malted barley, and sweet corn.  Key takeaways: Maryland wheat is typically planted in mid-October and harvested by mid-June, which helps open the door for earlier, better double-crop soybeans. Mandatory nutrient management plans and audits shape fertilizer decisions, but Scott says growers have still found ways to improve yields. Much of the local grain economy revolves around the chicken industry, affecting where wheat, corn, soybeans, and manure all move. Export promotion still matters to growers whose wheat is mostly consumed domestically because stronger demand lifts the whole wheat market. Disease pressure, especially scab, remains one of the biggest drivers in wheat variety selection. Detailed Rundown 00:00:00 - Opening and guest intro 00:00:58 - Where Jason farms 00:01:43 - Climate and disease pressure 00:03:23 - Wheat calendar in Maryland 00:05:24 - Nutrient management rules 00:07:24 - Yield expectations and cropping strategy 00:08:16 - Where the wheat and barley go 00:09:45 - Chicken manure as fertility 00:11:04 - Corn, soybeans, and specialty markets 00:12:10 - Farm history, land values, and irrigation 00:15:36 - Public education and policy engagement 00:18:08 - Why export work still matters 00:20:20 - Mexico travel story 00:23:22 - Variety choices and disease management 00:25:06 - Wrap-up   Kansas Wheat WheatsOnYorMind.com