Checkoff benefits: Farmer-funded research is helping boost wheat’s demand

Where, oh where, are Minnesota wheat checkoff dollars?

Back in Minnesota wheat farmers’ pockets.

“When the Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council (MWRPC) invests checkoff dollars into wheat research, producers reap the benefits,” said Brian Sorenson, MWRPC executive director. “Those dollars aren’t just going out into the ether. They’re funding research projects that directly impact wheat growers and increases their profitability.”

Tasked with directing Minnesota wheat checkoff dollars for promotion and research activities, MWRPC doesn’t take its job lightly. The Council has a rigorous process for eliminating and selecting research project proposals, which begins with a request for proposals (RFP), and are reviewed by the research committee.

“During the Prairie Grains Conference in December, we ask the researchers who submitted proposals to present their projects,” said MWRPC Treasurer Mikayla Tabert, who sits on the research committee. “The research committee is designed to vet projects for quality, such as cost versus benefit, and give a recommendation to the Council on which projects to fund.”

To foster robust discussion about each project, individuals with a variety of backgrounds sit on the research committee, including grower and industry representatives, crop consultants and MWRPC and Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers board members.

“It’s a benefit to have a variety of perspectives because it doesn’t always lead to the same conclusions,” said Tabert, who farms near Red Lake Falls. “I’m a farmer, so when projects get deep in the weeds and go beyond my understanding, it’s nice to have people on the board who have more of a scientific-minded understanding of things. When you’re around people who sharpen each other, there’s absolutely a benefit.”

The research realm isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for Tabert, it’s key to encouraging other growers to branch out and experiment with various production practices.

“I really like research, and research is behind in our farming niche,” said Tabert, whose operation is a no-till, cover crop farm. “I wanted to be on the committee to help increase research in that area. There are a lot of farmers interested in more conservation approaches, but I understand the challenges that come with those, and though research often isn’t enough to convince them, it’s a first step; to convince growers to take that risk, there absolutely needs to be more research.”

One of the wheat checkoff research endeavor’s shining stars is the University of Minnesota’s spring wheat breeding program, which is spearheaded by University of Minnesota Professor Jim Anderson. A tried-and-true checkoff investment, the breeding program has an established history of providing critical information to producers.

“Growers and agronomists across the region turn to the variety research Jim and his team publish each year to make important purchasing decisions,” Sorenson said. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have the program in our state.”

Quality counts

Variety research and selection isn’t the only aspect of growing wheat that is critical to profitability. Therefore, MWRPC also focuses on production and soil health research.

“When reviewing proposals, we ask ourselves, ‘How does this benefit wheat producers?’” Tabert said.

While it may not impact wheat farmers directly, research into cereal chemistry, such as spring wheat protein and baking quality and herbicide residues in harvested grain is a vital research priority for MWRPC.

“There are interesting research projects that don’t necessarily affect the farmer directly as far as considering wheat quality,” Tabert said.” It’s something that the wheat farmer might not think about the importance of, but we sell hard red spring wheat based on its quality. Obviously, research is important to help the farmer grow better but also to utilize the wheat better. In the United States, we’re very good at growing the pile of wheat but not necessarily at having the pile of wheat get used.”

At the end of the day, it’s a cycle – when Minnesota wheat growers are successful, MWRPC is successful, and vice versa.

“Wheat has been a tough crop for a lot of producers to grow profitably,” Tabert said. “So, putting those dollars into wheat to be able to make it a profitable crop is important, especially because it’s an important crop in the cropping system.”

MWRPC crop year 2025 research priorities: