Who's used "feed" wheat for home use?

CarolynRenee · #1 08/09/10, 10:41 AM

I promise, I won't tell!

Our local feed store has what they think is winter wheat for $7 a 50# bag. (I'm going to go over there tomorrow & take a look at it).

I'm sure that the wheat is not going to be as clean as the stuff I normally get (at $26 a bag), but is it something that I could clean as we need it?

I normally get HRWW or HRSW, so I'm wondering if the feed store stuff will work in breads, baked goods.

Although, even if it's not up to snuff for people-eat'n, I think I'm still going to get some as it's pretty cheap compared to my other feed (chickens, goats, mule).

Thanks!

Windy in Kansas · #2 08/09/10, 11:32 AM

Rather than simply buying a feed grade of wheat with unknown milling and baking qualities with perhaps many varieties mixed together, why not go to a farm seed store that carries untreated seed and buy a known variety that has good to excellent milling and baking varieties?

In lieu of doing the latter I would probably opt to buy a known variety directly from a farmer rather than buying an unknown variety or mixture.

Expect the feed store stuff will work but you will have no idea of protein content, etc.

Just my outspoken opinion.

big rockpile · #3 08/09/10, 11:42 AM

I've used Millrun Wheat with no problem.The only problem might have is where they have sprayed the Bins but if you've ever bought a Loaf of bread they do the same in the Bakery.

big rockpile

InHisName · #4 08/09/10, 12:03 PM

We use "field cleaned" (still lots of sticks and chaff) direct from the silo- lots less expensive, but a bit of easy work to clean it- and we know that it wasn't sprayed with chemicals that are ok'd for animals, not people.

CarolynRenee · #5 08/09/10, 12:04 PM

Well, I'd LOVE to buy directly from a farmer but wheat isn't a big crop around here in the ozarks & we don't have any stores that sell the "seed" either (at least that I've found).

The absolute cheapest I've been able to find wheat is from Walton feed ($17 for wheat, double it with shipping) or a somewhat-local bakery 2 hours away for $26 a bag.

So, I guess I'm just being a cheap-o.

Windy in Kansas · #6 08/09/10, 12:13 PM

No problem with economy. I'm just surprised that there are no seed dealers around to supply farmers needs.

Several years ago two seed companies local to me offered to ship untreated seed wheat to those wanting it. Not sure if they still would or even have untreated still available.

I do tend to forget that the "Ozarks" are big and not all areas would have farmers growing wheat as a crop.

Old Vet · #7 08/09/10, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolynRenee

Well, I'd LOVE to buy directly from a farmer but wheat isn't a big crop around here in the ozarks & we don't have any stores that sell the "seed" either (at least that I've found).

The absolute cheapest I've been able to find wheat is from Walton feed ($17 for wheat, double it with shipping) or a somewhat-local bakery 2 hours away for $26 a bag.

So, I guess I'm just being a cheap-o.

During the spring you could go to the center part of the state and get some I know several wheat farmers just south of Little Rock and use the trip for going to Sams.

Most any feed store can buy from Okley they sell seed.

CarolynRenee · #8 08/09/10, 12:18 PM

Darn it oldvet, before you edited for spelling i was ready to up & call Okley for their weed!

CarolynRenee · #9 08/09/10, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

I do tend to forget that the "Ozarks" are big and not all areas would have farmers growing wheat as a crop.

Is ok. We just grow rocks around here. Need any???

Old Vet · #10 08/09/10, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolynRenee

Darn it oldvet, before you edited for spelling i was ready to up & call Okley for their weed!

Knowing Okley the way I do you may find it their.

Patt · #11 08/09/10, 12:45 PM

I wish we could buy it locally too! I think Windy's idea would be a good one. Get untreated seed and at least you know what you are buying.

Windy in Kansas · #12 08/09/10, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolynRenee

Is ok. We just grow rocks around here. Need any???

Well-----there sure aren't any around here as they all ground down into sand particles years ago. I actually would like to have a pickup load of them to line a drainage area at my kids house.

Not too terribly far away is a brown sandstone area, and in another direction sort of a yellow or buff colored sandstone area. Those would be better, but thanks for the offer. lol

geo in mi · #13 08/09/10, 03:49 PM

Here's some info that might help: http://www.thefoodguys.com/wheatfaq.htm

And: http://archive.gipsa.usda.gov/refere...s/810wheat.pdf

My local seed supplier--farm & commercial-- had wheat seed a long time ago, but it was in 50lb bags, and was treated.

geo

big rockpile · #14 08/09/10, 03:55 PM

Ok go to MFA if you want a certain type of Wheat you can get it,it will be a Seed Wheat but it will be clean and not Treated.I know of no Farmers that spray Wheat.Or you can buy Bin Run which its just Winter Hard Wheat,might have more Chaff and Straw but is still ok.I bought 50# for $9.

big rockpile

mustangsally17 · #15 08/09/10, 04:28 PM

Certaintly have, BF works in a feed mill, so you know where mine is coming from and my wheat bread turns out just fine. Like has already been mentioned the chaff, but really no biggie.

FarmerGreen · #16 08/09/10, 04:59 PM

I don't know if they have a LDS home food storage warehouse near you, but that's where I've been buying my wheat. It's $6.85 for 25 lbs., but it's clean and ready to use or store. There is one about an hour away so I don't have to pay shipping charges. Most LDS (Mormon) warehouses will sell to non-members, but that is up to the local bishop.

Here is a link to their Provident Living website:
http://www.providentliving.org/locat...26-1-4,00.html

ksfarmer · #17 08/09/10, 05:20 PM

Wheat which has been stored in a bin any amount of time will have been exposed to a fumigant. The wheat itself may not have been sprayed but you can bet the bin has been fumigated. If not, it will be "buggy". I'm not saying this is not safe to use, but, just saying.

Also, wheat can be fed to livestock, but isn't the best for this purpose. Ground wheat tends to be like flour. I mixed some coarse ground with oats to feed feeder lambs and it tended to act like a laxative on them, big time.

jwal10 · #18 08/09/10, 08:49 PM

I buy from a farmer direct, find a clean part of a field and get it from there. I just got 200 lbs. I would not get wheat feed from a mill. Who knows where it has been, how it was stored or anything about it. Take a pint and rinse it, see what you get. YUCK. I like clean wheat that wasn't swept off a floor where mice have been. I sprout all my wheat, shake it over a screened bottom pan so the fines fall out and pick the chaff. At least it is rinsed off....James

big rockpile · #19 08/09/10, 10:28 PM

Well Wheat around here has long been harvested so whatever you get has been in a Bin.

Like I was telling here if she goes for Seed Wheat she knows variety and it is very clean,MFA where I told her to get it I cleaned millons of bushels for them and I know how clean it is.

big rockpile

ET1 SS · #20 08/10/10, 08:10 AM

We do not have many wheat farmers in this area.

We do have corn, barley and oats though. Sometimes I buy from the farmer, other times I get it from the mill.

I always buy in the fall just as the grains are being harvested.