Nitrogen performs many vital functions in the wheat plant. Wheat requires 2 to 2.5 pounds of nitrogen (N) per bushel (bu) of grain, or, if grazed, 1 pound per acre or each 3 pound-per-acre animal gain. Shortages of Nitrogen may cause reduced tillering, reduction in head size, poor grain fill and low protein content. Adequate Nitrogen must be available to the wheat plant at all phases of development.