nd-crops

NEWS RELEASE                                            Wheat Varieties
                                                          July 18, 2003

                     ALSEN TOP WHEAT VARIETY FOR 2003

Alsen, Ben, and Ransom are the top spring, durum and winter wheat varieties
planted, respectively, in North Dakota in 2003, according to the North
Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, Fargo, ND. These top wheat
varieties and most runner-ups planted in North Dakota were North Dakota
Agricultural Experiment Station releases.

The leading spring wheat varieties planted in North Dakota were Alsen,
Reeder, Parshall, Oxen, and Norpro. Of the 6.4 million acres of spring
wheat planted in 2003, these five varieties accounted for 70.5 percent of
the acreage. Alsen was the front runner in the northern two-thirds of the
state. Gunner dropped to seventh in 2003, down from second place in 2002.

The three leading durum varieties were unchanged for 2003. Ben maintained
its first place position for the fifth straight year. Lebsock was a close
second in 2003 and Mountrail remained in third place. Together the top
three varieties accounted for 68.5 percent of the 1.9 million durum wheat
acres planted in 2003. They are all North Dakota releases.

Ransom was the number one winter wheat variety planted in North Dakota for
the 2003 crop year. It was followed by Elkhorn, Roughrider, and Jerry in
that order. These four varieties captured 48.9 percent of the planted acres
and were all North Dakota releases.

The data in this report are based on the results of a June survey of over
2,000 wheat producers conducted by USDA's North Dakota Agricultural
Statistics Service. The North Dakota Wheat Commission and the North Dakota
State University (NDSU) Agricultural Experiment Station provided supporting
funds for this survey. Free copies of the publication are available from
the North Dakota Wheat Commission, 4023 State Street, Bismarck, ND
58503-0690; telephone 701-328-5111.

Spring Wheat
Alsen strengthened its first place ranking for spring wheat varieties this
year. It accounted for 37.4 percent of the spring wheat acres, an increase
of 6.6 percentage points.

Reeder was the second most popular spring wheat variety, up from third
place last year. It accounted for 12.4 percent of the spring wheat acres
statewide, compared to 8.6 percent last year. Reeder was the leading
variety in the southwest and south central districts.

Parshall moved up to third place in 2003 from fourth in 2002, accounting
for 9.4 percent of the spring wheat planted acres.

Oxen moved up from fifth to fourth place in 2003 in North Dakota. It
accounted for 5.9 percent of the spring wheat acres, compared to 7.6
percent in 2002. Oxen was the leading variety in the southeast district.
Oxen is a 1996 South Dakota release.

Durum Wheat
Ben was the most popular North Dakota durum wheat variety planted for the
fifth year in a row. It accounted for 23.8 percent of the 1.9 million durum
acres planted, down from 26.0 percent in 2002. It was planted statewide and
was the leading variety in the west central, east central, southwest, and
southeast districts.

Lebsock maintained its second place position in 2003. It was planted on
22.9 percent of the durum acres. It remained the leading variety in the
north central and the northeast districts.

Mountrail was the third most popular variety planted in 2003. It comprised
21.8 percent of the acres of durum planted this year, up from 14.0 percent
last year.

Kyle stayed in fourth place this year with 5.3 percent of the planted durum
acres, down from 7.8 in 2002. It was grown mainly in the northwest and
central districts. Kyle is a 1984 Canadian release.

Winter Wheat
Ransom was the leading North Dakota winter wheat variety, up from fifth
place in 2001. Winter wheat variety percentages were not estimated for
2002. This 2003 leader accounted for 16.2 percent of the 130,000 acres
planted this year.

Elkhorn with 12.6 percent of the planted acres took over second place this
year.

Roughrider was the number three winter wheat variety in 2003. It is down
from second in 2001. It was planted on 10.6 percent of the winter wheat
acreage.

Jerry achieved a fourth place ranking this year. It was planted on 9.5
percent of the winter wheat acreage.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doug Hartwig, State Statistician
North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service
NDSU, IACC Bldg., Room 448
P.O. Box 3166
Fargo, ND 58108-3166
Telephone: (701) 239-5306
E-Mail: nass-nd@nass.usda.gov
Internet: http://www.nass.usda.gov/nd/