Wheat is grown in many areas of the United States. There are six different classes of wheat. This is about the hard red winter wheat grown in southwest Kansas.

One wheat kernel is small - about 1/4 inch long. This super seed will produce a plant in the fall that lies dormant all winter and then continues its growth in the spring. This plant will become several stalks of wheat, each 2 to 3 feet tall. Each stalk will have a head 2 to 3 inches long that will produce many kernels of grain.

Wheat is planted in southwest Kansas in September. With good moisture, the seed will sprout within a week. A little grass-like green plant shows above the ground in another few days. The plant sends down roots while the top part of the plant "tillers" - spreads out - and gets well established before cold weather hits. When it freezes, the wheat plant goes dormant and does not grow again until the temperature starts to warm up.

When the wheat plant resumes growth in the spring, it goes through several stages before it is ready to harvest. It can also be used as a plant for cattle to feed on at this time.

As the wheat plant begins to grow, the plant starts to stretch up in height - forming the first node on the stem, called jointing. Cattle must be taken off before the wheat joints if the wheat is to be harvested for grain.

The stem of the wheat plant will continue to grow in height, forming a second node and the last leaf. The head begins to form down in the base of the leaf. This is called the boot stage.

The head or spike continues to grow and becomes visible - going into a flowering stage. A full head is formed with small film-like husks lying in rows opposite each other. The kernels begin to develop and fill in the husks. In four to six weeks, the kernels become fully developed and become hard or ripe. A wheat head may have between 30 to 50 kernels when it is ready to harvest.

The grain is harvested by a combine, augured into trucks, and hauled to farm storage or to a grain elevator.

The grain is then hauled to larger "terminal" grain elevators. From there, it goes to millers, bakers, cereal producers, livestock feeders, and many other processors.

Wheat is made into flour for cakes, cookies, and breads. Crackers, cereals, and macaroni are also made from wheat.

From this one little super seed, the world is fed.