Bismark, North Dakota, USA
July 28, 2009

The North Dakota Wheat Commission is pleased with gains made by Divide in durum acres and the continued strong presence of Glenn in hard red spring wheat acres.

DURUM

Divide, a 2005 release from North Dakota State University, surged in acres planted in 2009 and moved into first place at 20.6 percent. This is up from 7.6 percent last year and it represents the first time in five years that neither Mountrail nor Lebsock have held the top position. Divide is not only a high yielding variety with strong agronomic traits and better disease resistance, but it offers improved end-use quality characteristics as well. According to Jim Peterson, Marketing Director, "the fact that more of our 2009 acres were planted to Divide is a positive that both international and domestic customers should appreciate. It offers enhanced gluten strength and color characteristics and, providing harvest weather is also favorable, buyers should note gains in the base quality of our durum, as other higher quality varieties also advanced in acres." These other varieties include Pierce, Alkabo and Grenora from North Dakota State University, DG Star from Dakota Growers Pasta and Alzada from Westbred.

Mountrail and Lebsock tied for second place with 16.9 percent of the acres. While acres are down from last year they remain popular with producers because of the strong yield and agronomic characteristics they provide, and in the case of Lebsock, very high test weights. Pierce and Alkabo round out the top five with 9.4 and 8.9 percent of the acres, respectively. By region, Divide is the top variety in the northwest district, Lebsock is the top variety in the north central, north east and central districts, Pierce is the leading variety in the west central and Ben is again tops in the southwest.

HARD RED SPRING

Glenn claims top position for North Dakota hard red spring wheat acres for a third straight year with 24 percent of the acres. This is down marginally from last year when it peaked at 28 percent. "Glenn offers competitive yields, a strong disease package, and high grade and protein traits for producers. It complements this with strong functional quality and end-use performance attributes for our customers," states Peterson. "To hold the level of acres it has the past three years, in the face of competition new, higher yielding varieties, shows the broad appeal of this variety, even though it is reported to be more difficult to thresh compared to other varieties," adds Peterson. Glenn is a 2005 release from NDSU and is the top variety in all but the three eastern districts in the state.

Faller, a 2007 release from NDSU, made the largest gains of any varieties in 2009 and advanced to second position with 17 percent of the acres, up from 2 percent. It is the top yielding variety in many regional trials and has a strong disease and agronomic package, although lower protein levels compared to Glenn. Faller was the top variety in the northeast and east central districts. Briggs, Freyr and Steele-ND, round out the top five with 7.6, 7 and 5.8 percent of the acres, respectively. Briggs, a 2002 SDSU release is the top variety in the southeast district while Freyr, a 2004 AgriPro release, and Steele_ND, a 2005 NDSU release represent strong acreage levels in the western and central districts.

HARD RED WINTER

Jerry remains the most popular hard red winter variety with 48 percent of the acres. It has been the top variety for six straight years. Jerry is a 2001 release from NDSU and is noted for its high level of winter hardiness. The remaining top four varieties include Jagalene with 10.8 percent, CDC_Falcon with 9.3 percent and Wesley at 7.8 percent. Some new releases which showed up in the survey for the first time include Hawken, Expedition and Overland. "Based on the increasing interest in hard red winter as a crop option in many areas of the state, we can expect to see an even greater number of new varieties for winter wheat in the coming years," says Peterson. A major trait that breeding programs are focusing on, in addition to yield and winter hardiness is improved disease resistance.

View the 2009 Wheat Variety Survey

Website: http://www.ndwheat.com

Published: July 29, 2009