Wheat Lessons From The East Coast

Maryland wheat farmers juggle humidity, disease pressure, poultry markets, and tighter nutrient rules, yet Jason Scott says there is still room to raise strong wheat and make smart management decisions. In this episode, Aaron Harries visits with Jason Scott, a sixth-generation farmer from Maryland’s Eastern Shore who grows soft red winter wheat alongside corn, soybeans, malted barley, and sweet corn. Scott breaks down the Mid-Atlantic production calendar, explains how mandatory nutrient management affects fertilizer timing and recordkeeping, and shares how local poultry demand, flour mills, export markets, and variety selection all shape the economics of wheat in his region. For Kansas listeners, it is a useful look at what changes when wheat is grown in a humid environment with tougher regulation and a very different end-use market. Key takeaways: Maryland wheat is typically planted in mid-October and harvested by mid-June, which helps open the door for earlier, better double-crop soybeans. Mandatory nutrient management plans and audits shape fertilizer decisions, but Scott says growers have still found ways to improve yields. Much of the local grain economy revolves around the chicken industry, affecting where wheat, corn, soybeans, and manure all move. Export promotion still matters to growers whose wheat is mostly consumed domestically because stronger demand lifts the whole wheat market. Disease pressure, especially scab, remains one of the biggest drivers in wheat variety selection. Detailed Rundown 00:00:00 - Opening and guest intro Aaron Harries introduces Jason Scott, a sixth-generation farmer from Hurlock, Maryland, and outlines his farm, leadership roles, and work with U.S. Wheat Associates. 00:00:58 - Where Jason farms Scott explains where his farm sits on the Delmarva Peninsula, between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic, and why he considers the region Mid-Atlantic rather than New England. 00:01:43 - Climate and disease pressure He describes a humid, rainy production environment where both northern and southern crop diseases can show up, making the region a unique place for agronomic challenges. 00:03:23 - Wheat calendar in Maryland Scott walks through the soft red winter wheat season: mid-October planting, winter dormancy, spring fertilizer timing, and mid-June harvest, with a strong push to finish in time for double-crop soybeans. 00:05:24 - Nutrient management rules He details Maryland’s long-running nutrient management system, including yield-based nitrogen limits, required plans, annual reporting, and the reality of on-farm audits. 00:07:24 - Yield expectations and cropping strategy Scott says his farm averages around 90 bushels per acre on wheat and has improved performance by placing wheat on better ground while shifting barley onto sandier acres. 00:08:16 - Where the wheat and barley go Barley is contracted to a Delaware craft malter when it makes grade, while wheat is split between the poultry industry and flour mills in southeastern Pennsylvania. 00:09:45 - Chicken manure as fertility The conversation turns to poultry litter, which Scott describes as valuable, locally produced fertilizer even as it remains part of a larger environmental debate in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 00:11:04 - Corn, soybeans, and specialty markets Scott explains that most local corn goes into the chicken industry, while his soybeans often go to a nearby crush plant, with Plenish high oleic beans earning an identity-preserved premium. 00:12:10 - Farm history, land values, and irrigation He reflects on century-farm history, sharecropping roots, high land prices, urban pressure, and the major yield difference irrigation makes on sandy soils. 00:15:36 - Public education and policy engagement Scott talks about speaking with garden clubs, educating urban neighbors, and pushing back on legislation shaped by people with limited understanding of modern crop production. 00:18:08 - Why export work still matters Drawing on his U.S. Wheat Associates experience, Scott explains why export development helps all wheat classes, even when most Maryland wheat stays in domestic channels. 00:20:20 - Mexico travel story He shares a side story about being stranded in Puerto Vallarta during cartel-related unrest and flight disruptions, and credits Corteva/Pioneer for getting the group home safely. 00:23:22 - Variety choices and disease management Scott says Maryland growers rely heavily on private wheat varieties, with scab tolerance and disease package carrying major weight in seed decisions. 00:25:06 - Wrap-up Aaron closes by thanking Scott for sharing a Mid-Atlantic perspective on wheat production, markets, and advocacy. Kansas Wheat Wheats On Your Mind