The U.S. Department of Agriculture has instituted new policies to encourage Illinois farmers to begin double cropping. By changing insurance rules to lessen the risk of growing two crops, the USDA hopes to increase the amount of wheat grown every year. Mike Doherty is the executive director of the Illinois Wheat Association.
Doherty says wheat farming is expanding in Illinois, but is predominant in the southern part of the state.
In 2021, there were about 670-thousand acres of wheat in Illinois, producing over 48 million bushels. Illinois wheat does not have the level of protein and gluten required for yeast breads, but can be used in many other food products.
story from Illinois Radio Network
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