The Illinois Wheat Association is inviting farmers and researchers to tour wheat fields and take estimate yields of the winter wheat crop during its annual Wheat Plot Tour on May 20 at the Southern Illinois University Belleville Research Center.    

The tour will include field checks during the day with a late afternoon reporting session at the SIU Belleville Research Center, 2036 Charles Lane, Belleville, IL. Tour participants will have an opportunity to view wheat variety and seed treatment trials at the Belleville Center, as well as listen to scouting results and the wheat yield estimates. 

Four tour groups will set out at 9 a.m. on May 20 to visit various wheat fields and gather yield estimates throughout southern Illinois. Groups will stop twice per county to take estimates. The tour group information and registration is below.

Those wishing to take samples on their own and join the groups at the Belleville Research Center at 4 p.m. should contact the IWA for yield measurement instructions to ensure sampling procedures are consistent.

The event will conclude with a tour of the SIU research plots by Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, assistant professor of small grains breeding with University of Illinois, presentations from morning tour leaders discussing their findings, and a group dinner. Guest speaker Dr. Boris Camiletti with the UIUC Smart Plant Pathology lab will discuss application methods for scab control.

Participants are asked to RSVP for the group dinner by May 2. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Those interested in participating in one of the tour groups are asked to call one of the four crop scouting group leaders in advance to confirm involvement and meeting location the day of the tour. Participants are asked to RSVP for one of the following groups by May 16:

• Siemer Milling Company, 111 W. Main St., Teutopolis, IL

  Tour leader Kristina Holkenbrink will take groups through Effingham, Shelby, Fayette, Jasper, Clay, Coles and Richland Counties. Call 217-857-3131 or email kholkenbrink@siemermilling.com to register for the tour.

• Mennel Milling Company of Illinois, 415 E. Main St., Mt. Olive, IL

  Tour leader Jeff Best will take groups through Macoupin, Montgomery, Madison and Bond Counties. Call 217-999-2161 or email jeffbest@mennel.com to register for the tour.

• AgriMAXX Wheat Seed Company, 7167 Highbanks Rd., Mascoutah, IL

  Tour leader Matt Wehmeyer will take groups through St. Clair, Randolph, Washington, Marion and Perry Counties. Call 855-629-9432, or email matt@agrimaxxwheat.com to register for the tour.

• Wabash Valley FS Services Co., 10931 Coal Mine Rd., McLeansboro, IL

  Tour leader Aaron Hunsinger will take groups through White, Hamilton, Gallatin and Wayne Counties. Call 618-384-0243, or email aaron.hunsinger@basf.com to register for the tour.