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AgriPro Wheat has released its spring wheat research
data from the 2009 season. AgriPro conducts 13 replicated research locations across the region, in an effort to increase the successfulness and stability of their breeding program. Joe Smith, wheat breeder for the
Northern Plains, stated that it takes a large investment to increase the value of varieties, but also to make sure that the “data you report is good data that helps farmers make decisions.” He points to the fact
that nearly every year, AgriPro will discard trials, even if they were harvested, because if high plot variability or unsound statistical analysis.
Smith noted that the long and cooler-than-average growing seasons in both 2008 and 2009 will favor fuller-season maturities and that
late planting in 2009 adversely affected some trial results. “What we experienced this year in some locations wasn’t a perfect indication of what happened in some farmer’s fields,” said Smith, advising that growers
should still look at long-term research data over multiple locations. He added that talking to other growers and seedsmen who produced new varieties will also help determine what varieties are right for a particular
area and production practices.
Smith explained that scab ratings aren’t included in these tables since low levels of scab have occurred in their trials over the past 3 years.
AgriPro Wheat has release two new varieties that are available this season as certified seed. Smith reported that Jenna is a
full-season maturing variety that has the yield potential of the top yielding varieties but with better protein and very good test weight. It has standard semi-dwarf height, very strong straw strength, and very good
foliar disease protection. Jenna has intermediate tolerance to scab, similar to Kuntz or Knudson, Smith compared.
Brennan is an earlier maturity release with many other similarities to Jenna. “Brennan has performed very well for an early maturing
line,” Smith said. He reported protein levels generally 0.5-0.75% higher than the highest yielding varieties with very good test weight. It is also a short semi-dwarf type with very strong straw strength and very
good foliar disease tolerance. Brennan has good tolerance to scab, similar to Kelby. Smith compared the agronomics of Brennan to Kelby, but added the tillering and yield potential of Brennan has been better, while
not quite as high for protein.
Given the protein challenges and economics in the past few years, AgriPro continues to publish their trial averages as economic
return per acre tables. Using a 6 year average protein premium or discount schedule, Smith reported that varieties with a good balance of yield and protein head to the top of their economic tables. “It’s important
to use long-term protein schedules,” Smith feels, adding that growers shouldn’t base all their variety decisions on last year’s challenges with protein. “A good mix of maturity and protein is always important,” he
concluded.
More research data, and a variety comparison chart including scab ratings, are available on AgriPro’s website at w
ww.agriprowheat.com/northernplains.
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