2008 HRS Crop Touts High Average Grades

The annual hard red spring wheat quality survey of the 2008 HRS crop produced in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota is revealing that seventy-five percent of the crop makes a #1 grade with a regional average test weight of 61 pounds and a protein content of 14.2 percent. These factors are all similar to the 2007 crop. This year more than 800 harvest samples were collected directly from producers in the field, at on-farm bins or at elevators for the quality survey. Thanks to a growing season that had limited disease pressures and a mostly dry harvest period buyers will find a crop that has little to no damage and sound kernels and is 13 percent larger in production compared to 2007.

While the regional average protein is 14.2 percent, samples collected in the eastern half of the region do show lower protein levels than last year, as excellent growing conditions produced record to near-record yields for most producers. In contrast, areas in the western part of the region produced average to below average yields due to lack of rainfall mid-season and very short subsoil moisture reserves, but protein levels were comparatively higher.

Laboratory milling results on the crop show higher flour extractions than 2007. The crop does have somewhat weaker dough mixing qualities compared to the excellent 2006 and 2007 crops. Dough handling properties are very good and bake tests are revealing high bread scores with loaf volumes that are similar to 2007 but somewhat below the five-year average.