Energy Crisis—Alternative Use of Winter Bread Wheat Grain Depending on Protein Content

Abstract

Our economic analysis aimed to evaluate the profitability of winter bread wheat production based on two fundamental aspects. The first was the grainprotein content as a criterion for determining grain prices. The other was a comparative simulation of production profitability relying on grain production costs in 2015 and 2022. We used the results of a field experiment conducted in 2014 and 2015 involving winter bread wheat fertilised with nitrogen applied at progressive increments of 40 kg N ha−1 within arange from 0 to 240 N ha−1 with or without fungicide protection. We assumed that experimental factors significantly affected both the yield and the market value of grain, and hence the profitability conditioned by wheat prices on global markets. The working hypothesis of this paper is: wheat production profitability has not changed in the face of a global energy crisis. Our analysis shows that growing bread wheat generates profit when inputs are high: these inputs include high nitrogen rates and full crop protection. The real grain selling price guarantees production profitability. We should consider that, in the circumstances of a global energy crisis, the world should possibly switch to baking products from low-protein flour. Only upon such an assumption can the expenditure on fertilisers and fungicides be significantly reduced.

Prediction of Grain Yield and Gluten Content in Winter Bread Wheat Based on Nutrient Content in Plant Parts during the Critical Cereal Window

“…These two production goals are consistent with the primary goal of classical farming practice, as their implementation focuses primarily on protein yield. Moreover, these objectives also align with the main economic objective of the farmer, as they boost the economic effect [15].…”

“…A CP content of 12.5-13% and GL of 25-28% meet the technological quality of grain for bread wheat [22]. High N f concentrations are applied during the CCW to increase the CP content in the grain [14,15]. Tissue analysis of winter wheat to determine the plant N status is only used to determine the need for N f application during the booting or heading stage of cereal plant growth.…”

Effective Control of the Nitrogen Gap—Higher Yields and Reduced Environmental Risk

“…The standardized protein content in high-quality flour is determined by both the wheat variety and the appropriate dose of N f applied [9]. The study presented in the paper by Klikocka and Szczepaniak [10] clearly showed that the production of winter bread wheat, taking into account both the grain yield and its quality, is profitable providing a high dose of N f and full fungicide protection. On the fungicide-protected variant, a grain yield of 12.3 t ha −1 was achieved with an optimal N f of 231 kg N ha −1 .…”

“…In the presented case, production losses concern both grain (−2.8 t ha −1 , i.e., 23%) and protein content (−3 p.ps.) [10]. Replacing organic fungicides with inorganic ones, considering the pressure of pathogens on the growth and yield of winter wheat, is a major challenge for both researcher and farmers.…”

“…The economic analysis clearly showed that a high profitability of wheat production in fertile soil is achieved by using two management strategies [10,11]. The first is highinput and based on high doses of N f and full fungicide protection.…”