Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat (Whole & Sifted Glenn Bread Flour) in the field:
Glenn Wheat is planted in the spring. Before planting, the seedbed is plowed and then harrowed to smooth it.
Hard Spring Wheats like Glenn have a higher protein content and are the favorite of many bakers.
Planting Glenn Wheat
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 to give the Glenn wheat seed the best possible seedbed.
The Glenn Wheat is up and has already begun to tiller and put forth multiple stalks per plant.
One of the reasons it is more difficult to plant spring grains in our area than winter grains is that by this date, the winter grains have been up and already tillering for two months — and providing cover so that weeds will be less likely to grow.
You can see the clover, which was frost seeded into the Glenn on March 29 & 30, emerging. The clover helps to suppress weeds.
Glenn Bread Flour in the field
Just over two months later, the wheat is beginning to head out. The wheat grains that are milled into flour are in the wheat heads.
7 days later, the Glenn Wheat is starting to dry down.
Because 2023 was somewhat drier than last year, there was not as much weed growth in the wheat. It is the weed pressure that makes growing of hard spring wheats difficult.
Behind the Glenn, you can see how we plant our grains in contour fields, alternating with hay fields. Contour fields reduce erosion and can increase water retention in the soil. The contour grain fields in this picture are Gehl Oats.
The Glenn Wheat is almost ready for harvest.
Although we did not have as much rain in 2023, even a small amount (sometimes just barely measurable in the rain gauge) will keep the moisture content of the wheat too high to harvest.
Although these fields are some of the flattest we farm, they are still rolling!
Harvesting the Glenn Wheat
When we harvest the Glenn Wheat, the wheat grain is stored in the body of the combine. Straw comes out the back of the combine and is deposited back into field. The straw is used either to bed animals or left in the field to increase the organic matter of the soil.
Nigel oversees the unloading the Glenn Wheat into a gravity wagon to take the grain back to our home farm.
At the farm, we place aerators in the wagon to bring down the moisture of the grain further. The grain is stored in the wagon until it is cleaned so that it can be milled into flour.
Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat Facts 2023
Glenn Spring Wheat Fields
In 2023, Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat was grown in Independence Township on the farm established by Robert Leggett in 1815. Leggett had holdings totally 585 acres in the area and raised 1000 sheep. In addition to being a farmer, he was a breeder and dealer of 1st class Spanish sheep (Merino). Today the farm still raises sheep. Weatherbury Farm transitioned this land from conventional in 2013 and it was certified organic in 2015..
This is our third year of planting Glenn Wheat. Hard Spring Wheats. While difficult to grow in the northeast, hard spring wheats are a favorite of many bakers because they have a higher protein. Historically, hard winter wheats (for bread) were not grown in this area. A hard spring wheat was definitely out of the question.
The wheat was planted on two fields totaling 4.107 acres on March 22 2023.
Clover was frost seeded into the wheat on March 29 & 30, 2023. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain, increases soil organic matter, and eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.)
The Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat was harvested on July 26, 2023.
At the 2023 Washington County Fair, the Glenn Wheat sheaf and the jar of Glenn Wheat grains won 4th place.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour, visit the from seed to flour page.
About Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat Wheat
Organic Whole and Sifted Glenn Bread Flour
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 Hard Red Spring Wheat
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.
Managanese, 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 Glenn Hard Red Spring Wheat and other grains grown at Weatherbury Farm are on the grains we grow page.