LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala.- Stuart Sanderson works at Henderson Farms in Limestone County where they've been growing wheat for more than 70 years. The warm weather we've had this winter has them a little worried about their crops. Sanderson says the wheat is healthy but it's few weeks ahead of it's typical growing schdule. "This is somewhat scary" said Sanderson. "It's not a disaster at this point but it is a little bit to get concerned about."
Normally, during this time of year, nitrogen fertizer would be placed on the feilds to help the wheat grow but this year's crop doesn't need it. Sanderson tells WAAY 31 FirstNews "We're waiting till the last minute to put nitrogen on it cause we really don't want to accelerate this crop anymore than it has been accelerated by the warm weather"
Sanderson is glad too see cooler temperatures in the forecast for this weekend because the cold weather will make the plant grow slower. He hopes the cold spell stays around for the rest of the month. But if it doesn't and we have a late cold snap in March or April it could damage the crop. "We really need the cold weather to try to slow this back down to get it kind of dormant" say Sanderson. "We can't afford for this to continue at this rate and have a freeze a month from now. It would be devastating."
Wheat farmers like Sanderson are hoping that this cold air hangs around because their entire crop could depend on it. "There's nothing that we can do physically to alter what may or may not happen to this plant from this time" says Sanderson. "So it's all in the hands of the good Lord."
Last year was a record breaking wheat harvest for North Alabama. Henderson Farms is loading up some of last year's stored harvest to make room for this year's crop which should be harvested in June. Most of Henderson Farm's wheat will be processed locally and turned into flour.
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