Wheat Quality Improves Over 2012

The North Dakota Wheat Commission recently released the 2012 Regional Quality Reports for both U.S. hard spring wheat and northern durum wheat. The hard red spring wheat samples were produced in North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota, Idaho and Oregon while the durum samples were taken from North Dakota and Montana.

The northern durum crop grades a number one Hard Amber Durum on average with slightly higher test weights and thousand kernel weights compared to last year. Vitreous kernel content is slightly higher this year at 89 percent. At 14.6 percent, average protein is one point higher than 2011 and half a point higher than average and falling numbers averaged above 400 seconds, indicating a sound crop. Total semolina extraction levels are a bit lower than last year but mixing properties are strong. Pasta quality is improved this year with lower speck counts, better pasta color and lower cooking loss. While the crop as a whole is of good quality, the northern region of North Dakota did see increased disease pressure with some elevated levels of DON. Also, this year there is a portion of the crop that falls into lower grade classes with lower vitreous counts. Overall, buyers will appreciate the high grading crop with improved semolina and processing characteristics, according to Jim Peterson, Marketing Director of the Wheat Commission.

Peterson also reports the 2012 Hard Red Spring grades a number one Dark Northern Spring with higher test weights and thousand kernel weights. Average protein is 14.6 percent, similar to last year and nearly a half point higher than the five-year average. Damage levels are significantly lower with only a few areas reporting elevated levels of DON. These areas include the northwest and north central portions of North Dakota. Milling data shows extraction levels are higher than last year and similar to the five-year average. Dough quality tests indicate stronger, more resistant dough in the 2012 crop showing lower bake absorption but higher loaf volumes. The strong features of the 2012 hard red spring crop include very high protein levels, a high grade profile, low damage, improved functional quality and larger production.

The state offices of the National Agricultural Statistics Service collected the sample and the North Dakota State University wheat quality labs conducted the evaluations. A total of 786 hard spring wheat and 221 durum samples were collected and analyzed.

Yield and Quality of Wheats Seem Incompatible

Last week I attended our district meeting of the North Dakota Crop Improvement Association. This is a statewide organization which works with North Dakota State University in the distribution of new crop varieties developed by NDSU breeders and sometimes from other states. Contract crop growers and seed dealers make up the membership. County Extension Agents, agronomists from area research centers and plant breeders serve in ex officio capacity to the association at district and state levels. On the county level, the Williams County Agricultural Association serves as the link between the state association and local approved contract growers who desire participation in the seed increase program.

Much of our district’s business was spent on having reports from such folks as the State Seed Department, NDSU Development Foundation and the director of the seed increase program. I was especially interested in hearing Joel Ransom, NDSU Extension Agronomist, share his thoughts on the many hard spring wheat, durum, winter wheat and barley varieties. There are 43 hard spring varieties listed in the North Dakota Hard Red Spring Wheat Variety Trial Tests for 2012 and Selection Guide. Nearly one-half have been released to the public in the past five years. According to Ransom, the top yielding varieties in the western half of North Dakota were Advance, Velva, RB07, Norden, Brennen, Barlow, and Rollag. When he showed us the quality data these varieties tended to flip-flop. It is difficult to identify one variety which has both yield and quality. Ranson did draw attention to a new variety named Elgin. This new release has only two years of data collected by the research centers across North Dakota. Ransom feels Elgin will do best in western North Dakota.

For durum, the relationship between yield and quality is similar to hard spring wheat but some of the recently released proven varieties have very good quality are also doing a pretty good job of competing for high yields on a statewide basis. For many years, Mountrail has been the variety of choice because of its yield. In a statewide basis, it still remains a top yielding variety but Alkabo,Grenora, and even Divide require a serious look because their yields have been very competitive since their release by NDSU in 2005. There is a newer variety, Carpio, which has incredible gluten strength and is competitive for yield. If you are looking for a variety for high protein Stronfield certainly has an edge. It is a 2004 Canada release.

Based on the 2012 growing season, we probably should pay attention to varieties which give some protection against scab. Those include Divide, Carpio, and Alkabo.

Copies of the statewide yield and quality reports can be mailed or you can access them on our webpage: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/williamscountyextension.