A strain of genetically modified wheat never approved for sale or consumption in the United States was discovered growing in Montana in July, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday.

With wheat planting beginning, it is wise to consider two insect pest concerns for this fall crop: Hessian fly and aphids.

Monsanto Co. has agreed to settle lawsuits by U.S. farmers who alleged they lost money after the company contaminated their wheat fields when a genetically modified strand was discovered in Oregon.

The majority of the 2014 wheat crop was very good, but ergot was a widespread problem. Many of the ergot-infested fields seemed to be those that matured later than most, such as some of the spring wheat, later-planted and later-maturing winter wheat varieties, and fields with thin stands. In at least one field of winter wheat, many of the heads containing ergot bodies were late tillers.

Aerial seeding cover crop questions have been numerous this month. Indeed, the wet month of August does greatly increase the probability that aerial seeding will be successful as we enter September.

It's important that producers not overreact to lower crop prices for wheat by cutting back this fall on phosphate (P) fertilizer, if it's needed, for the wheat crop.