Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat (Whole & Sifted Flour) in the field:
Preparing the seed bed. Plowing followed by harrowing. Harrowing smooths the field so there is a smooth surface to plant the seed.
As luck would have it, we had to repair the oil cooler and fan on our tractor, so there was a bit of time between plowing the field and planting it.
Notice, that the planter also has a harrow behind it to smooth the ground.
Maxine Wheat after winter. This was the day the field was frost seeded with clover.
Interesting fact: the farmers walk between 30 and 40 miles per year spinning clover on the grain fields.
Maxine Wheat 3 1/2 months later.
The Maxine Wheat continues to grow and mature.
Bread Flour in the field!
The Weather forecast was 20% chance of rain — so we set out to harvest the Maxine Wheat.
But then, as you can see, rain clouds gathered and a downpour ensued. We had 7/8 inch of rain in about a 1/2 hour.
The grain was once again dry enough to harvest, so we finished harvesting on the 15th.
Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat Facts 2021
Maxine Wheat Fields 2021
In 2021 Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat was grown in Independence Township on 2 fields totaling 4.43 acres 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; it was certified organic in 2015.
The wheat was planted on November 4,2020 .
Clover was frost seeded into the grain on March 8,2021. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain, increases soil organic matter, and eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.)
The Maxine Wheat was harvested on July 15,2021.
At the 2021 Washington County Fair, the Maxine wheat sheaf won third place and the jar of Maxine grains also won third place. In 2012, the jar of Maxine Grains won Best of Show/Judge’s Choice.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour, visit the from seed to flour page.
About Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat
Maxine is a fairly modern German variety and it is well adapted to growing in the northeast.
Products Milled from Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat
Maxine Wheat is milled into organic, unbleached whole and sifted bread flour. With very good baking properties, the flour is used by bakers for all types of leavened, unleavened & sourdough baked goods.
Bread, made with Weatherbury’s Bread Flour, ground from Maxine wheat, has been called “life affirming” by eater. com.
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
Bread flour (milled from Maxine Wheat) can be ordered either for our monthly on-farm pickup or you can have your order sent to you.
To read more about bread flour (milled from Maxine Wheat), please visit our products page.
More information on Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat and other grains grown at Weatherbury Farm are on the grains we grow page.