FRANKFORT, Ky. — When it comes to row crop production, corn and soybeans get much of the attention in many farming regions. But for winter wheat producers, who are in the middle of their growing season, the attention may be less though the crop is just as important for several reasons.

Foremost, wheat is the primary grain used in U.S. grain products, with approximately three-quarters of these made from wheat flour, according to information from the National Assoc. of Wheat Growers. Though wheat production ranks third in the United States behind corn and soybeans, according to information from the USDA, the wheat-harvested area has dropped by nearly 30 percent since 1981, "because of declining returns compared with other crops and changes in government programs that allow farmers more planting flexibility."

This year, many growers in some of the biggest wheat-producing states in the country are reporting fewer planted acres for the 2015 winter wheat crop. Half of the wheat produced here is exported, and despite more wheat sales in the world, the U.S. portion of that market has dropped in the last 20 years.

The long-term projections for this country’s wheat production aren’t much better. Ten-year USDA projections estimate U.S. share of the global wheat market will continue to decline, while U.S. planted acreage will also decrease.

Production levels for this year alone have seen a drop of 5 percent in winter wheat acres compared to a year ago, according to a report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The seeded acreage for this year was down 6 percent compared to 2013.

There are many reasons for year-to-year reductions, including crop rotations, weather conditions and commodity prices. Another reason for these long-term declines could be that consumers are using fewer wheat products such as pasta and bread because of increased health concerns over too many carbohydrates.

The USDA notes this current decline began in 2000 but for the 30 years prior, consumers were gravitating toward wheat products to avoid meat consumption. The agency also reports this up-and-down production of wheat has been ongoing for centuries.

"Historical data indicate that there have been previous periods of growth and decline in wheat consumption. From a low starting point in the 1600s, consumption of wheat flour rose to about 225 pounds per capita in 1880, and then fell to about 110 pounds a century later. These shifts reflected supply-side factors, including changes in wheat production, milling and transportation, in addition to demand for more diversified diets," according to the USDA.

But wheat can be of use in ways besides food. From a grower’s perspective, wheat can be a good winter cover crop. Information from Purdue University extension states cereal like rye or wheat is the most popular cover crop in Indiana for a number of reasons.

"They are easy to establish and fast-growing; seed is readily available and relatively inexpensive. Legumes, on the other hand, do not provide cover as rapidly, but they do supply some nitrogen that can be used by a spring-seeded corn crop," the report stated.

Pat Clements from Springfield, Ky., has been in the wheat seed production business for a number of years as well as being a producer. He described this year’s crop seedings to be at the lower range of what is normal.

"We’re not drastically below by any means, but we’re certainly at the bottom of the range that I have seen in my career," he said. That career spans 37 years, giving him a good perspective of wheat’s ups and downs over that period.

The wheat market may have taken a step back, but Clements said the industry is still a viable enterprise in Kentucky and there are still many benefits to growing a wheat crop. The state ranks 20th in national production.

He noted new opportunities coming to producers in the eastern half of the state thanks to a new flour mill in the Cincinnati area. He also said wheat holds potential as grain and forage.

"I always like to say that I’ve never planted a wheat crop that I didn’t get something or some benefit to the land out of, either economically as grain production and/or forage production," he explained. "The residues of a wheat crop are the most beneficial things you can do for your ground, conservation-wise."