Skip to main content

Wheat Farming

Wheat farming is very popular in many different parts of the world, just like rice farming. It is among the mostly cultivated cereal crops, and it is a staple food worldwide. And wheat farming is done in both small scale and commercially. Commercial wheat farming business is becoming very popular gradually.

Like rice, wheat (Triticum aestivum) plant is also a grass and cultivated mainly for the seeds. The wheat is in the Triticum genus, and there are many other species of wheat in the same genus.

World trade in wheat is greater than for all other crops combined. And wheat is actually grown on more land area than any other food crop. And in terms of total production, wheat is the second most-produced cereal crop after maize.

Wheat is a very important source of carbohydrates. Total demand for wheat is increasing gradually, mainly due to the unique viscoelastic and adhesive properties of gluten proteins (which facilitate the production of processed foods).

Total consumption of wheat is increasing as a result of the worldwide industrialization process and the westernization of the diet.

What is Wheat Farming?

Before discussing more information about this business, let us first explain what wheat farming actually is. Actually, wheat farming is the process of producing wheat for the purpose food production. Complete process includes land preparation, planting, caring to harvesting.

How to Start Wheat Farming Business?

Wheat farming is very easy as compared to many other cereal crops. Wheat is widely grown in many parts of the world. It is grown on 13 percent of the cropped area of India (and in India, wheat is the most important food-grain next to rice. However, here we are describing more information about wheat farming.

wheat, growing wheat, wheat farming, wheat farming information, wheat farming guide, commercial wheat farming, commercial wheat farming guide, wheat farming for profit, wheat farming commercially for profit, wheat cultivation, wheat cultivation guide

Step 1. Learn Practically

First of all, try to learn more about this business practically from any of your nearest government institute or any existing farmers. You can also complete a wheat farming training. Having practical experience is very important in this business.

Step 2. Select a Good Location

You have to select a very good location with fertile soil for wheat farming. Soils with a clay loam or loam texture, good structure and moderate water holding capacity are some factors which are ideal for wheat farming.

You can also select a location with heavy soil with good drainage system (under dry conditions). Consider all these factors while choosing land for wheat farming.

Step 3. Prepare the Soil

You will need to prepare the soil perfectly for wheat farming. Plough the soil with disc or mould board plough. Prepare the soil by giving one deep plough with iron plough followed by 2-3 times light ploughing and planking. After ploughing, 2-3 harrowing will be very good for preparing the soil.

You should plough early in the morning, and planking should be done after each ploughing. Apply all the natural and chemical fertilizers while preparing the soil. Exact amount of the chemical fertilizers depends on testing the soil.

For commercial wheat farming, an average 50 kg Nitrogen, 25 kg Phosphorus and 12 kg Potash will be enough per acre. And add as much organic contents as you can while preparing the soil.

Step 4. Climate Requirements for Wheat Farming

Wheat plants can be grown in a wide variety of agro-climatic conditions. The plants have high adaptability and they can be grown in the tropical and sub-tropical zones and also in the temperate zone and the cold tracts of the far north.

The wheat plants are severe cold and snow tolerant and resume growth with the setting in of warm weather in spring season. Wheat plants can be grown from sea level to as high as 3300 meters high. But most suitable climate for wheat farming is moist and cool weather.

Wheat farming is possible in a wide range of temperature. The plants can survive temperature between 3.5 °C and 35 °C, But the ideal temperature for wheat farming is between 21 °C and 26 °C.

Step 5. Best Time for Wheat Farming

Wheat can be grown at any time as long as the whether is favorable and the temperature is between 3.5 °C and 35 °C ( although, the ideal temperature for wheat farming is between 21 °C and 26 °C).

Step 6. Choose a Variety

There are many different types and varieties of wheat available around the world. And there are also many varieties available in many areas.

All these varieties are different from each other in terms of characteristics and yield. Spelt, durum, emmer, einkorn, khorasan and common wheat or bread wheat are the hexaploid species.

Durum, hard white, soft white, hard red spring, hard red winter and soft red winter are some classes which are used in the United States. There are also many hybrid or high yielding wheat varieties available in some areas.

Some popular wheat varieties which are available and cultivated in India are DBW 17, HD 2851, HD 2932, HD 2967, HD 3043, HD 3086, PBW 1 Zn, Unnat PBW 343, Unnat PBW 550, PBW 725, PBW 667, PBW 502, PBW 660, PBW 621, PBW 175, PBW 527, PBW 291, PBW 590, PBW 373, PBW 509, PDW 233, WHD 943, TL 2908, Kalyansona, RAJ 3765, Sonalika, UP 319, UP 368, UP 2328, UP 2338, WL 711 etc.

wheat, growing wheat, wheat farming, wheat farming information, wheat farming guide, commercial wheat farming, commercial wheat farming guide, wheat farming for profit, wheat farming commercially for profit, wheat cultivation, wheat cultivation guide

You can choose any variety depending on it's availability in your area. While choosing a variety, you should consider it's availability and surviving ability in your area. Consult with any existing farmer within your area for having recommendation while choosing a variety.

Step 7. Seeds

Wheat is very common and popular throughout the world. So the seeds should be easily available in your area.

Visit any of your nearest govt. or private seed suppliers. And while purchasing seeds, try to purchase very good quality, high yielding and disease free seeds from the local seed manufacturers.

Seeds per Acre

Generally 40-50 kg seeds are required per acre. Although, exact amount of required seeds depend on the variety and sowing method.

Step 8. Planting

The wheat seeds can be sown in many different methods. Seed drill, rotavator, zero tillage drill and broadcasting methods are used for sowing wheat seeds. You have to sow the seeds to about 4-5 cm deep. Planting the seeds in rows will be good. Space the rows to about 20-22.5 cm apart.

Planting or sowing the seeds in correct time is very important for wheat farming. Delayed sowing causes a gradual decline in the yield of wheat. In Indian agro-climatic conditions, Late October to November is considered best time for wheat farming.

The wheat seeds should be graded and cleaned thoroughly before sowing. You can use fungicide for treating the seeds. Using Raxil, Vitavax, Tebuconazole and Thiram at the rate of 2 grams per kg seed will be enough for treating the seeds before sowing.

wheat, growing wheat, wheat farming, wheat farming information, wheat farming guide, commercial wheat farming, commercial wheat farming guide, wheat farming for profit, wheat farming commercially for profit, wheat cultivation, wheat cultivation guide

Step 9. Caring

The wheat plants are relatively hardy and strong. They generally do very well in favorable environment and generally require less care. Although taking additional care will be very good for wheat farming, and will ensure maximum yield. Here we are describing more about the caring process of the plants for successful wheat farming.

Fertilizing: Additional fertilization is not required if you already have prepared the soil by following the above mentioned ways.

Watering: Several irrigation required for wheat farming. First irrigation should be done 20-25 days after planting the seeds. And additional 4-5 irrigation should be done after every 20-25 days from the previous irrigation.

Controlling Weeds: You can control most of the weeds from your field by removing them while preparing the soil. And additional weeding is also required. You can also use chemical for controlling the weeds.

Step 10. Control Pests and Diseases

The wheat plants are susceptible to many pests and diseases. Aphids and termites are the common pests for the wheat plants. Brown rust, powdery mildew, Flag smut, Karnal bunt and Yellow or Stripe rust are some common diseases for the wheat plants. Please consult with your local agriculture extension extension office or any expert for having better recommendation for controlling all these pests and diseases.

Step 11. Harvesting

You can expect to start harvesting when the leaves and stem turn yellow and become fairly dry. The wheat should be harvested before it is dead ripe for avoiding loss in yield. So, timely harvesting is essential and very important for maximum quality of the grain.

When the moisture content in the grain reaches to about 25 to 30 percent, then the wheat are in the right stage for harvesting. Combine harvester are available for harvesting, threshing and winnowing of wheat crop in single operation.

But you can also use serrate sickles for manual harvesting. Store the harvested grain in a safe place after all the process are done.

wheat, growing wheat, wheat farming, wheat farming information, wheat farming guide, commercial wheat farming, commercial wheat farming guide, wheat farming for profit, wheat farming commercially for profit, wheat cultivation, wheat cultivation guide

Yield

Exact amount vary depending on the variety and many other factors. But on average you can expect up to 2 tons per acre.

Step 12. Marketing

Marketing wheat is very easy and simple. You can easily sell in your local market. Wheat and it's products have very good global demand. So, you can also consider exporting. We recommend determining your marketing strategies before starting this business.

These are the common ways and steps for starting and operating a successful wheat farming business. The whole process of wheat farming is relatively easy and you can start in both small and large scale. But if you are a beginner, then we recommend starting in small scale and expand gradually. Commercial wheat farming business is profitable and it is gaining popularity gradually. Good luck and may God bless you!

Comments

Popular Posts

Murray Grey Cattle

The Murray Grey cattle are a breed of beef cattle from Australia. It was developed in the upper Murray River valley on the New South Wales. The breed was developed in 1905 from an initial chance mating of a black Aberdeen Angus bull and a roan Shorthorn cow during the Federation drought. From these matings the resulting thirteen dun-grey calves were kept as curiosities. And then Peter and Ena Sutherland bred them on the Thologolong property along the Murray River in New South Wales. Murray Grey cattle grew faster and were good converters of feed and produced quality carcases. These are the reasons this animals become very popular after their development. And local farmers became interested soon in these animals and began breeding them. The first large scale commercial farms were established in the 1940s. Today the breed is available in many countries. Both live Murray Grey cattle and embryos have been exported to many countries such as Canada, South America, New Ze...

Sorting Cattle

Sorting cattle is important if you have a large number of animals. For better management you will need to separate the animals into different groups depending on their age, size, gender or condition score. If some cattle of your herd need to be examined by a veterinarian or confined due to injury or illness, then separation may also need to be done. Sorting is also needed for separating the calves that need to be weaned from their mothers. And separating the bulls is also necessary after they have done their duty with breeding cows. Sorting Cattle Sorting cattle is not actually a difficult task. It can be done easily if you understand stockmanship principles that take advantage of bovine psychology and behavior. However, here we are describing more about the ways of sorting cattle. Sorting From a Squeeze Chute In this system you can move your cattle through a working corral into a chute system into the squeeze. In this system you can check and process animals f...

Andalusian Black Cattle Farming

Andalusian Black cattle farming is not too popular, even in it's native area. It is a relatively rare breed which is valued for meat production. But today, the breed is listed as 'endangered', and total number of the breed is very less. The Andalusian Black cattle is a taurine cattle breed, and it was originated in west Andalusia, Spain. It is also known by some other names such as Negra de las Campiñas, Negra Campiñesa and Spanish: Negra Andaluza. The Andalusian Black cattle is actually a beef cattle breed which is raised primarily for meat production purpose. The breed is found in two main areas of west Andalusia (from Cordova to the foothills of the Sierra Morena), and in the provinces of Seville, Cádiz and Huelva. Today, total population of the Andalusian Black cattle breed is very less. And there were about 800 purebred cattle in the year of 2007. Total number of this breed decreased mainly for crossbreeding with other local cattle breeds. Other reason...

Belted Galloway Cattle Farming

Belted Galloway cattle farming is popular, especially in it's native area. It is a beef cattle breed and raised mainly for meat production purpose. The breed is also known by some other names such as Beltie, Oreo Cow and Panda Cow. The Belted Galloway cattle breed was originated from Galloway in the west side of Southern Scotland. It is a heritage breed, and is well adapted to living on the poor upland pastures and wildswept moorlands of the region. Exact origins of the breed are unclear. But it is often surmised that the white belt of the breed may be a result of cross breeding with the Dutch Lakenvelder belted cattle. And the breed is named so mainly because of the belt. An association for the breed named the Belted Galloway Association was formed in 1921 in Scotland. And the name of the association was changed to Belted Galloway Society in the year of 1951. The association keeps and records pedigrees for Belted Galloways and oversees the registration of White and Re...

Cleaning A Cow

Cleaning a cow in the proper way can keep the animal look and feel fresh. Cleaning also help to prevent external parasites. You may also need to clean your cow to show it off at your local county fair or other occasions. And you need to clean your cows more often especially if you have dairy cows. You can integrate a spraying system for cleaning a cow once a day or so. Along with cleaning the body, you should also provide a footbath for better health of the cow's hooves. However, here we are describing more about the process of cleaning a cow. Sprinkler System Add Sprinkler in a Pre-milking Wash Pen You can construct a pre-milking wash pen with sprinklers for cleaning multiple cows. In this system, install sprinklers all along the pen you hold the cows in before milking. Using concrete for the floor will be good. It will help to keep the floor dry quickly and you will not have a constantly muddy area. You should spray sprinklers both up and down to wash the cows th...

Agerolese Cattle Farming

Agerolese cattle farming is not common, even in it's native area. It is a dairy cattle breed which is raised mainly for milk production purpose in it's native area. It is a pretty rare breed and not available outside it's native area. The Agerolese cattle is actually from the area of Agerola, in Campania in southern Italy. It was developed from cross-breeding of indigenous Podolica cattle with Bruna Italiana, Italian Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cattle. The breed is particularly associated with the Sorrento Peninsula and Monti Lattari. The Agerolese cattle is one of the 16 minor Italian cattle breeds of limited diffusion recognized and protected by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, the Italian ministry of agriculture. There were a total of 200 animals available according to a census completed on 1 January 2002. And the conservation status of the Agerolese cattle breed was reported by the FAO as 'endangered-maintained' in 200...

Ankole-Watusi Cattle Farming

Ankole-Watusi cattle farming is pretty popular, especially in it's native area. It is a multi-purpose breed of domestic cattle which is raised and valued for show, draught, meat and milk production purpose. The Ankole-Watusi cattle is a landrace breed, a type of Sanga cattle and originally native to East Africa. It is also known as Ankole Longhorn, and also sometimes known simply as Ankole or Watusi. Ankole-Watusi cattle is actually an ancient breed, and ancient rock paintings and depictions of these animals have been observed in the Sahara region and in the Egyptian arts and pyramid walls. The Sanga breed has spread to the Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and some other parts of Eastern Africa, becoming the base stock of the indigenous African cattle populations. It has most of the usual Zebu characteristics such as the pendulous dewlap and sheath, hump of variable size and the upturned horns. The Ankole-Watusi cattle have played a very important role in the lives of various ...