Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat (Whole & Sifted Maxine Bread Flour) in the field:
Plowing and Harrowing the field where Maxine Wheat will be grown.
After the field is plowed (tractor in rear), it is harrowed to smooth the soil bed.
Planting the Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat on a Sunny Fall Day
On the front of the planter, there is a harrow which smooths the field, giving the Maxine the best possible growing conditions.
The Maxine Wheat is germinating 3 1/2 weeks after planting and will continue to grow through the winter.
Maxine Wheat is a winter planted grain and is planted in the fall. This allows the crop to get a head start on weeds in the spring. With the wet weather in our area, this is a must.
The Maxine Wheat is emerging from winter and already the plants have already begun to tiller and put forth multiple stalks per plant.
Normally, we use hand spinners to spin clover onto the fields. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain, increases soil organic matter, and eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.)
Because it was so wet this spring and getting into the field was difficult, we used a spinder attached to the back of the tractor this year.
Maxine Bread Flour in the Field!
2 1/2 months later, the wheat has really grown, has headed out and is drying down. The wheat grains that are milled into flour are in the wheat heads.
Harvesting Maxine Wheat with our Gleaner Combine
When the Maxine Wheat is harvested, 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 will be used either to bed animals or left in the field to increase the organic matter of the soil.
Nigel oversees the unloading of the Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat into a gravity wagon to take the grain back to the home farm. There, we place aerators in the wagon to bring down the moisture of the grain. The grain is stored in the wagon until it is cleaned.
Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat Facts 2026
Maxine Wheat Field 2026
In 2026, Maxine Hard Red Winter 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.
The wheat was planted on 2 fields totaling 1.7 acres on October 22, 2025.
Clover was frost seeded into the wheat on April 16 & 17, 2026. (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 4, 2026.
At the 2026 Washington County Fair, the Maxine Wheat sheaf won 1st place and the jar of Maxine Wheat grains won 3rd place.
At the 2012 Washington County Fair, the jar of Maxine Wheat not only won 1st place, but also the Judges’ Choice Award.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour, visit the from seed to flour page.
About Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat
Whole and Sifted Maxine Bread Flour
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 Maxine 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
Maxine bread flour can be ordered at our on-line shop either for our monthly on-farm pickup or you can have your order sent to you.
To read more about Maxine bread flour, please visit our Maxine flour product page.
More information on Maxine Hard Red Winter Wheat and other grains grown at Weatherbury Farm are on the grains we grow page.