The wheat harvest marks the end of the season – and the evaluation begins at the same time. In addition to the yield, it is above all the quality that determines economic success. A key factor here is the protein content.

It not only provides information on market quality, but also on the efficiency of nitrogen fertilisation. For many farms, it is a decisive indicator of whether fertilisation practices in spring and late fertilisation were optimally coordinated.

Protein formation in wheat – crucial in the grain filling phase

The protein content in the grain is mainly formed during the grain filling phase. During this time, the plant is dependent on targeted nitrogen availability to build up protein effectively. If the nitrogen was applied too early or was not sufficiently available, the quality drops – even if the yield is satisfactory. A common reason for insufficient protein content is a lack of or insufficient late fertilisation. It is essential for quality wheat to fulfil market requirements.

Nitrogen and sulphur – a well-synced team

Often overlooked, but crucial for efficient protein formation: sulphur. Without sulphur, nitrogen cannot be fully converted into protein in the plant. The result is a poorer nitrogen utilisation potential – and therefore a lower protein content, which is why the use of nitrogen-sulphur fertilisers (such as Dynamon from OCI) is particularly recommended for late fertilisation. They not only improve the quality of the protein but also increase the nutrient efficiency and environmental compatibility of the measure.

Evaluate, compare, improve

If you systematically record the protein content of your fields and compare it with the amount of nitrogen fertiliser, you will receive valuable information on optimisation potential:

• Good yield but low protein content: nitrogen was available at the wrong time or not enough.
• Good yield and high protein content: The fertilisation strategy was balanced – a sign of a successful nutrient supply.
• Low yield and poor quality: Location factors, weather conditions or a fundamentally inadequate supply need to be scrutinised.

The analysis of protein content and hectolitre weight is more than just a quality control – it is direct feedback on fertilisation. For quality wheat, it is worthwhile to focus on targeted late fertilisation with nitrogen and sulphur. This not only increases the market value of the harvested crop but also allows you to further develop your own fertilisation practice.