Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat (Whole & Sifted Flour) in the field:
Glenn Wheat is planted in the spring. Before planting, the seedbed is plowed (shown) and then harrowed to smooth it.
The Glenn Wheat is planted using an air drill planter. At the front of the planter is a harrow, which smooths the soil in the field.
10 1/2 weeks after planting, the Glenn Wheat is a sea of green.
Previously we had not had much luck planting spring hard wheats, so this a wonderful view.
A closeup of the Glenn Wheat.
Glenn Bread Flour in the field!
Harvesting Glenn Red Hard Spring Wheat with our combine.
Despite, a number of heavy rain storms with strong winds, the Glenn is still standing. In the foreground, you can see how some of the wheat has lodged (agricultural talk for fallen down). But we were still able to harvest most of it.
This photo shows the rear of the combine. The machine’s name derives from the fact that it combines three separate harvesting operations — reaping, threshing and winnowing — into a single process.
The threshed grains are retained in the body of the combine, while the straw is deposited from the rear of the combine back unto the field. The straw can either be baled to be used for animal bedding or left in the field, where is will increase the organic matter of the soil.
Unloading the Glenn wheat into a gravity wagon. A tractor will pull the wagon back to the farm. Aerators are placed in the wagon to bring down the moisture of the grain. The grain is stored in the wagon until it is cleaned.
Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat Facts 2020
Glenn Wheat Fields 2021
In 2021, Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat was grown on 1 field of 2.55 acres on our home farm. The farm is part of a 436 acre grant (known as Extravagance) surveyed to John Doddridge on April 6,1786. According to the Caldwell Atlas , the farm was established by M.T. Murdock in 1825. Murdock is listed as a farmer, grain, stock and wool grower (with 150 sheep). The farm was later a dairy operation (the Patterson family: 1945-1966) and a cattle operation (the Eastham family: 1966-1986). In 2008, we began raising historical grains on both the home farm and neighboring farms. The grains were certified organic in 2009 . In April 2014 Weatherbury Farm began stone-grinding flour. Weatherbury Farm also raises grass fed beef.
This is our first year of planting Glenn Wheat and our first successful planting of a hard red spring wheat. Hard spring wheats, while difficult to grow in the northeast, are a favorite of many bakers because they have a higher protein.
The wheat was planted on March 23, 2021.
Clover was frost seeded into the wheat on March 23, 2021. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain and, eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.)
The Glenn Wheat was harvested on July 10, 2020.
At the 2021 Washington County Fair, the sheaf of Glenn Wheat won 2nd place and the jar of Glenn Wheat won 1st place.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour, visit the from seed to flour page.
About Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat
Glenn is a hard red spring wheat. Because the humidity in our area increases the incidence of disease in the fields, the eastern United States is not hospitable to growing hard red wheats, especially higher protein spring wheat. Luckily for us, the North Dakota State University Breeding Program developed Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat which flourishes in our region.
Products Milled from Glenn Wheat
Organic Whole and Sifted Glenn Bread Flour
Glenn wheat is milled into organic unbleached whole and sifted Glenn bread flour.
Health benefits of Wheat
Wheat is an excellent source of protein, dietary fibers, manganese and selenium. Wheat’s fiber boosts the digestive process and improves overall metabolism. The vitamin B content of wheat provides you with energy. Additionally, the complex carbohydrates in wheat keeps you feeling fuller longer and give you energy over a longer period.
Manganese, which wheat is rich in, acts as a co-factor for greater than 300 enzymes involved in the production of insulin and glucose secretion. Wheat’s betaine content prevents chronic inflammation, which is a key constituent in rheumatic pains and diseases. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory property reduces the risk of ailments like osteoporosis, heart diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and type-2 diabetes.
More Information
Glenn bread flour can be ordered either for our monthly on-farm pickup or you can have your order sent to you.
To read more about Glenn bread flour, please visit our products page.
More information on grains grown at Weatherbury Farm is on the grains we grow page.