Dollar Returns from Segregating Wheat By Protein Concentration during Harvest.

Growers of dark northern spring wheat operate under a quality payment system that rewards them to maximize the protein concentration of their grain. Grain protein concentration varies within farm fields yet conventional harvesting ignores this variability and bulks the grain together in one bin. Specialized equipment is commercially available for measuring and mapping the grain protein content within fields. The objective of this study was to determine if producers could profit by using this equipment to segregate the grain into two bins of low and high quality on the combine during harvest. Grain protein and yield data were obtained from 21 wheat fields in northern Montana. An economic analysis was undertaken of the costs and revenues generated with and without grain segregation. Segregation consistently increased the dollar value of each bushel of wheat, but revenues based on 16-year average prices were not enough to offset the associated costs. However, segregation was profitable in years of wide price spreads and above average yields. These results indicate that grain segregation may be beneficial under certain conditions. Further refinements are needed to reduce equipment costs and benefit the producer.