Most wheat is grown in arid areas - desert or high-desert. Wheat needs little water to grow. It’s not unheard of for it to thrive where there are 10 inches of rain a year!
Of course- wheat still needs water to grow. So what does it mean when an intense drought hits a reign?
Well, to be frank- Modern wheat is much more at risk than our heritage wheat. Why? Because of the root system.
Modern Wheat Roots
Modern wheat has a very short root system. According to Wes Jackson, founder of the Land Institute In “The Third Plate”, by Dan Barber, modern wheat covers about sixty million acres in the US.
“Sixty million acres of puny roots that we need to fertilize because it can’t feed itself. Puny roots that leak nitrogen, that cause erosion and dead zones the size of New Jersey”
Yikes.
Turkey Red Roots
The good news is Turkey Red’s roots go so deep that they can reach groundwater that is deep underground. This means the crop is more drought resistant and more resilient than modern wheat… it even survived the Dust Bowl.
Turkey Red Surviving The Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl was a period of 10 years, from 1930 to 1940, when there were severe dust storms that wreaked havoc on the American prairies. With soil erosion and drought at its peak, many crops failed, leaving fields barren and farmers desperate. Yet, amidst this devastation, Turkey Red wheat stood its ground.
Turkey Red wheat was already known for its hardiness. This heritage wheat variety came from Ukraine and was well-suited to the harsh conditions of the steppes making it uniquely prepared for the challenges it would face during the Dust Bowl.
While other wheat varieties withered, Turkey Red wheat’s deep root system helped it survive. Its roots anchored the soil. It allowed the plant to access moisture deep below the surface because during those 10 years there was little rain.. This resilience not only helped farmers continue to produce crops during these difficult times but also played a crucial role in maintaining soil integrity when it was needed most.
Along with Turkey Red being wonderful to our bodies, it’s wonderful to the earth. We’re proud to grow this special grain.
