Updated: January 2008

Organic Farming: Wheat Production AG1075

and Marketing ISSN 1329-8062

Viv Burnett, Rutherglen

The information provided in this Agnote is applicable to The basis of a successful organic grain crop is the fertility
organic mixed farming enterprises that grow crops in of the soil in which it is grown. Soil fertility is based on
rotation. the physical, biological and chemical components of the
Introduction soil environment. Physical soil fertility in an organic
farming system can be promoted by:
Wheat is the most commonly grown cereal in Australian
organic farming systems. It is adapted to a range of • having an adequate supply of organic matter through
climatic and soil conditions so it suits many of the mixed green manuring and pasture phases,
farming areas in Victoria. Organic wheat production • having good soil structure through minimising
requires attention to soil fertility, rotation, agronomy, and cultivation,
grain storage to ensure product quality and marketability. • having moisture retention but also good drainage,
Cereals comprise the largest export volumes of any
certified organic category, growing from 252 tonnes in • having sufficient gas exchange around the root zone,
1999 to over 1,297 tonnes exported in 2003. Premium and
prices can be expected for organic wheat and these reflect • warmth and moisture at the appropriate time.
quality parameters that are similar to conventional wheat. Biological fertility refers to the diversity and activity of
There are approximately 1,511 certified organic farms in soil organisms. Soil organisms play a fundamental role in
Australia, and 14% or 212 of these produce cereal crops. recycling nutrients for plant growth. The soil environment
that is most beneficial for these organisms to operate has:
Production requirements
• plenty of oxygen (needed for aerobic microbes),
Region and rainfall • a neutral pH, and
Current organic wheat production in Victoria is • organic matter that contains sufficient levels of
concentrated in the Wimmera and north central regions nitrogen.
with smaller quantities being produced in the north east.
Wheat is best suited to areas where annual rainfall is Chemical fertility refers to the level of available nutrients
between 300-600 mm. Growing season rainfall (April to required for plant growth. Wheat has a requirement for
November) is critical to achieve good establishment, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. The majority of
tillering and grain filling. Australian soils are deficient in phosphorus with the
amount of phosphorus in the soil depending on the parent
Soil management material, the extent of weathering, how much has been lost
The National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic through leaching and the level of organic matter. Options
Produce (2004) provides general principles for the that are available to organic producers to ensure adequate
management of soil in an organic farming system. phosphorus supply for crop growth include:
i. Healthy soil is the prerequisite for healthy plants, • maintain soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5 (CaCl2) to
animals and products. With organic farming, the care of a achieve maximum phosphorus availability,
living soil and consequently the maintenance or • encourage biological activity with sufficient high
improvement of soil structure, fertility and nutrient quality organic matter (Mycorrhizae fungi can form
cycling, is fundamental to all measures adopted. symbiotic relationships with plant roots to facilitate
ii. Sufficient organic material should be regenerated phosphorus supply, and some bacterial species can
and/or returned to the soil to improve, or at least solubilise phosphorus for plant uptake),
maintain, humus levels. Conservation and recycling of
nutrients is a major feature of any organic farming system.

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Organic Farming: Wheat Production and Marketing AG1075

• apply allowable phosphorus inputs (based on a Management to reduce the seed bank of weed species prior
demonstrated need) such as reactive phosphate rock to wheat production has to occur during the pasture phase.
and avian deposits (Guano™). Generally, reactive A range of options exist for producers to manage weed
phosphate rock is effective as a source of phosphorus species in pastures:
in areas that have an annual rainfall of at least 750mm • strategic heavy grazing of pasture to prevent seed set
and acidic soils. in late spring,
In organic farming systems the supply of nitrogen for plant • cutting hay or silage,
growth comes primarily from the fixation of atmospheric
nitrogen via the legume/rhizobia symbiosis. This can • green manuring,
occur during a pasture phase, or by growing a legume- • mowing, and
based green manure crop that is returned to the soil. • growing a forage break crop between the pasture and
Subterranean clover and lucerne provide the highest crop phases.
additions of nitrogen to the soil.

Figure 2. Trial site demonstrating strategic heavy grazing in

Figure 1. Subterranean clover pasture can provide nitrogen for spring can reduce grass weed seed set.
wheat production.
Potassium is also essential for crop growth and is linked to
both phosphorus and nitrogen supply. Potassium
deficiency can be a problem on lighter textured soils but is
not considered a widespread problem in cropping systems.
It is important to monitor soil health regularly through
appropriate testing to understand nutrient supply,
biological and physical health.
Rotation
In organic farming systems wheat is grown in rotation with
pasture or legume phases. Wheat can be grown directly
after a pasture phase when soil fertility is maximised
providing that adequate management of grass weeds has
occurred. Grass weeds can compete vigorously with
Figure 3. A competitive wheat cultivar with early vigour will
wheat and can be a source of disease and seed
shade many weed seedlings.
contamination. A break crop such as canola, followed by
wheat, is useful to avoid potential disease problems in Strategies also exist for weed management during the crop
wheat after a pasture phase. Research has shown that year, such as delayed sowing and using competitive
decomposing canola stubble can provide a bio-fumigation cultivars, but these should be considered in conjunction
effect in soil, decreasing the potential for common wheat with sound pasture management practices.
diseases. However, canola is a ‘nutrient hungry’ crop and • Competitive cultivar: choose a cultivar that has good
in an organic system, growing wheat after canola may not early vigour, a tall growth habit and wide leaves.
be the most productive rotation option. Some of this information can be obtained in the crop
sowing guides.
Weed management
• Clean seed: ensure that wheat seed is free of weed
Organic farming systems rely on an integrated approach to
seeds.
weed management, using a range of tools to reduce the
impact of weeds in both pasture and crop. The grass • Delayed sowing: sowing can be delayed in order to
weeds, typically annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum, Gaudin) achieve a weed germination that can then be
and wild oats (Avena fatua L.) are the most important cultivated prior to sowing. Delayed sowing can often
weed species that compete with organic wheat. result in reduced yield.

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Organic Farming: Wheat Production and Marketing AG1075

• ‘Autumn tickle’: this light cultivation can stimulate stock feed may be the only alternative if wheat is not
ryegrass germination so that these seedlings can be exported.
cultivated prior to sowing. Other important quality parameters for some markets
• Seeding rate: this can be increased to reduce the include screenings, grain size and variety. The organic
competitive ability of grass weed species standards are similar to the conventional production
standards, although this does depend on supply and can be
Harvest and grain storage
more flexible in some years.
Organic wheat is harvested in the same manner as
conventional wheat. Care needs to be taken to ensure that Price
the harvest sample is as clean as possible of weed seeds Organic wheat prices vary considerably depending on the
and other material, as penalties apply for foreign material market and the quality (protein content, screenings, grain
in cereal grain. Harvesting equipment that can collect size, variety). Premiums vary depending on the season and
weed seeds through the seconds bin allows for more can vary from zero (occurs rarely) to 100%. In most years,
flexibility in the harvesting process and better weed markets offer a premium of 30 - 50% above the
management. Wheat grain should be harvested at or below conventional price.
the receival limits for moisture; this is usually 12.5% for
wheat. Seed cleaning services are available but these will Organic prices for wheat do not vary as greatly as the
reduce the gross margin of the organic crop. conventional market. This may be due to many producers
growing on contracts. Generally the only assured markets
for organic wheat with high prices are for the high protein
(>14%) organic wheat grain which can be exported. Other
markets vary more seasonally (ie. through supply) and as
countries implement and change tariff rates.
Freight charges vary depending on the market and can be
included as a delivered price for some companies, whereas
others pay extra depending on where the receival station
is.

Current organic wheat purchasers, 2008

• Haku Baku Noodles (Vic)
Figure 4. Harvest at correct moisture levels and aim to reduce • Uncle Tobys (Vic)
weed seed contamination. • Casalare Specialty Pasta (Vic)
Many organic producers invest in sealed silo technology to • Pureharvest (Vic)
store their grain on-farm. This provides flexibility in the
• John Gidley and Company (Vic)
marketing of organic grain, gives producers the
opportunity to store seed for subsequent years and to assist • Whole Grain Milling Company (NSW)
in drought management by having grain for animal feed. • Kialla Pure Foods (QLD)
Producers can consult the NSW Agriculture Agfact P3.5.1 • Green Grove Organics (NSW)
On-farm Storage of Organic Grain for further information.
• Four Leaf (SA)
Marketing requirements • Weston’s Milling (NSW)
Quality
Useful references and contacts
Protein content is critical for export and domestic markets.
• Burnett, V., Enshaw, T. and Sutherland, S. (2004)
For export markets, most wheat is required to be above
Non-chemical Options for Integrated Weed
12% protein. This is because many European countries Management in Grain Production. Victorian
have high duty charges for wheat with a lower protein Department of Primary Industries,
content. It is important to have a good idea of the protein ISBN 1 74146 126 X.
level of wheat grown in your region, as this will affect
marketing decisions. For example, the majority of wheat • Halpin, D. (2004) The Australian Organic Industry,
Australian Government Department of Agriculture,
grown in north east Victoria achieves less than 11%
Fisheries and Forestry, ISBN 0 642 53955 3.
protein, whilst in the Wimmera and Mallee regions, higher
protein levels can be achieved. • Madge, David (1995) Organic Agriculture: Getting
Started Agmedia ISBN 0730664333.
There is emerging interest in some Asian markets for
cereal grain for the production of beverages and these may • Neeson, R. and Banks, H.J. (2000) On-farm storage of
provide future market potential for lower protein content organic grain, NSW Agriculture Agfact 102/28. Order
wheats. Some domestic markets require lower protein No. P3.5.1.
wheat, but the domestic market is limited and organic

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Organic Farming: Wheat Production and Marketing AG1075

• Organic Federation of Australia (OFA)

www.ofa.org.au
• Victorian Winter Crop Summary (2006) Victorian
Department of Primary Industries, ISBN 1741466741.

Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the funding for this research provided by
the Naturally Victorian Initiative, the support provided by
the organic industry and the Australian Quarantine
Inspection Service (AQIS).

The previous version of this Information Note was

published in February 2006

The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of

information only. Always read the label before using any of the
products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not
guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is
wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore
disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which
may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

© State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, 2008 Page 4