Preliminary North Dakota Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results for 2006

Compiled by Joel K. Ransom, Extension Agronomist, Brian Sorenson, Extension Wheat Quality Specialist, and Mohamed Mergoum, Hard Red Spring Wheat Breeder

The following preliminary spring wheat information is based on research conducted during the 2005 growing season.  The final report will be published as NDSU Extension Circular A-574 and will be available on the Internet at www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/variety/index.htm when completed. For additional performance data for other sites in the state go to www.ag.ndsu.edu/aginfo/variety/hrsw.htm.

The following experiment station scientists, plant breeders, cereal chemists, and plant pathologists provided the data presented in this article: B. Schatz, S. Zwinger – Carrington; P. Carr–Dickinson; E. Eriksmoen – Hettinger; M. Halvorson – Minot; B. Hanson – Langdon; N. Riveland – Williston; T. Friesen – USDA; R. Stack - Plant Pathology; M. McMullen - Ext. Plant Pathology; S. Ali - Plant Pathology; T. Olson - Cereal Chemist; J. Rasmussen - Plant Pathology.

Importance of End-use Quality
Hard Red Spring wheat from the Northern Great Plains is known around the world for its excellent end-use quality. Millers and bakers look at many factors in determining the quality and value of the wheat they purchase. Several key parameters are:  high test weight (for optimum milling yield and flour color), high falling number (>300 seconds indicates minimal sprout damage), high protein content (the majority of HRS export markets want at least 14% protein) and excellent protein quality (for superior bread making quality as indicated by traditional strong gluten proteins, high baking absorption and large bread loaf volume).

Millers and bakers are gaining a better understanding of their individual needs for consistent, high quality wheat and flour to succeed in a very competitive industry.  Wheat buyers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their ability to test and source for quality. The U.S. grain trade is receiving requests for adding functional performance specifications to purchase contracts, in an effort to obtain more consistent end-use performance. The majority of HRS wheat buyers are looking for traditional strong gluten properties (Farinogram rating of 6-7); however, there are instances where processors are looking for specific quality parameters, providing marketing alternatives for the wheat you produce.

Gluten strength and milling & baking quality ratings are provided for individual varieties in tables 3 and 4 based on the results from the NDSU Field Plot Variety Trials. These ratings are applied to varieties grown for multiple years at the seven NDSU Research Extension Centers across the state, for the purpose of providing producers and end users with end-use performance data.  The wheat protein data are often higher than obtained in actual production; however, the data should be used to compare varieties.  In addition, actual commercial end-use quality can vary due to a number of factors, with environmental conditions, planting date and location having the greatest impact.

Alsen Top Spring Wheat Variety in N.D. in ‘05
Alsen remained the leading spring wheat variety in North Dakota for the fourth consecutive year, with about 23% of state’s 2005 planted acreage, according to the North Dakota Ag Statistics Service. Reeder and Briggs remained second and third. Granite jumped from eighth in 2004 to fourth. Knudson stayed in fifth and Parshall fell to sixth from fourth in 2004. These top six varieties accounted for nearly 72% of the state’s planted spring wheat acreage this year.

Alsen led in the central and all three northern districts. Reeder led in the southwest, south central and west central districts. Granite led the east central district and was a close third in the northeast district.

Lebsock, Mountrail and Ben kept their three durum planted acreage rankings in order, first to third. These top three varieties made up about 70% of North Dakota’s durum planted acreage in 2005. Pierce ranked fourth, a climb from eighth in 2004.

Jerry had just over 32% of the 2005 winter wheat acreage, leading for the second year. CDC Falcon jumped from ninth last year to second in 2005.

Previously unranked, Jagalene debuted in third with 9.5% Following Jagalene in order are Wesley, Ransom and Crimson. These top six varieties accounted for about 74% of the state’s planted winter wheat acreage for harvest in 2005. This year there were more acres in North Dakota planted with winter wheat than in any year since 1986.

These rankings are based on a survey of N.D. wheat producers conducted by the N.D. Ag Statistics Service, with supporting funds by the North Dakota Wheat Commission and the North Dakota State University Agriculture Experiment Station. 

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