Journey of a Bite: Wheat

Since human migration began 60,000 years ago, people have been consuming wheat. Originally, wheat was not purposefully grown; humans simply picked wheat in the wild wherever they could find it already growing. Around 8,000 BC, people began deliberately growing wheat in places where it grew naturally thus contributing to the evolution of agricultural practices. Today, wheat is one of the world’s most commonly-consumed grains and is the base ingredient of some of your favorite foods, including bread, pasta and cookies. Wheat is harvested year-round all over the United States, with American farmers producing about 2.1 billion bushels of wheat annually. Humans can benefit from eating this grain thanks to its ability to help boost energy, improve metabolism, prevent asthma and protect against heart disease. As a leading innovator in agriculture, Bayer is well-placed to help farmers grow healthier and more affordable food in a sustainable manner.

Sources:

James W. Bauder, “Wheat Irrigation,” Montana State University, http://waterquality.montana.edu/farm-ranch/irrigation/wheat/wheat-irrigation.html.

Jennifer Bond, “Wheat,” United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/wheat/.

Chuck Kowalski, “Learn About Wheat Planting and Harvest Seasons,” The Balance, https://www.thebalance.com/wheat-planting-and-harvest-seasons-809321.

Daniel Workman, “Wheat Exports by Country,” World’s Top Exports, http://www.worldstopexports.com/wheat-exports-country/.

“18 Incredible Wheat Benefits,” Organic Facts, https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/cereal/wheat.html.