nd-crops

NEWS RELEASE                                              Wheat Varieties
                                                            July 19, 2005

         Alsen still Top Spring Wheat Variety in North Dakota

Alsen is the leading spring wheat variety in North Dakota for the fourth
consecutive year with 23.1 percent of 2005's planted acreage. Reeder and
Briggs remain second and third. Granite jumps from eighth in 2004 to
fourth. Knudson stays fifth and Parshall falls to sixth from fourth in
2004. These top six varieties account for 71.8 percent of the planted
acreage. North Dakota continues to rank first in spring wheat planted
acreage in the United States with 48.2 percent of the nation's total.

Lebsock, Mountrail and Ben keep their three durum planted acreage rankings
in order, first to third. These top three varieties make up 70.2 percent of
North Dakota's durum planted acreage. Pierce ranks fourth, a climb from
eighth in 2004. The leading four durum varieties are all North Dakota
releases. Monroe drops eight places from fourth last year to twelfth in
2005. Once again, North Dakota ranks first in durum planted acreage in the
United States with 70.0 percent of the nation's total.

Jerry has 32.6 percent of the 2005 winter wheat acreage, leading for the
second year. CDC Falcon jumps from ninth last year to second in 2005.
Previously unranked, Jagalene debuts in third with 9.5 percent. Following
Jagalene in order are Wesley, Ransom and Crimson. These top six varieties
are 74.4 percent of the planted acreage. Jagalene (third) and Crimson
(sixth) are only separated by 4.8 percent. This year there are more acres
in North Dakota planted with winter wheat than in any year since 1986.

The data in this report are based on nearly 1900 positive reports of 3,760
respondents to a June survey of wheat producers conducted by the USDA,
National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office. Thank
you to each person who supplied data and made this report possible. The
North Dakota Wheat Commission and the North Dakota State University (NDSU)
Agriculture 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 retains its first place ranking for spring wheat varieties with 23.1
percent of the planted acres. It still leads in the central and all three
northern districts.

Reeder is second overall for the fourth consecutive year, and leads the
southwest, south central and west central districts. It has 16.2 percent of
the statewide planted acreage.

Briggs is third in the state with 12.7 percent of the spring wheat acreage.

Granite ranks fourth with 7.3 percent of the planted acreage. Granite leads
the east central district and is a close third in the northeast district.

Durum Wheat

Lebsock ranks first among durum wheat varieties planted in North Dakota for
2005. With 28.3 percent of planted acreage, it claims the largest share
since 2000 when Ben had 29.0 percent.

Mountrail is now second overall with 25.5 percent of the durum acreage. It
leads the northwest district for the fourth straight year.

Ben is third in the state with 16.4 percent of the durum acreage; its
popularity leads the east central and southwest districts.

Pierce places fourth, earning its highest ranking with 6.4 percent of this
year's planted acreage. This 2001 variety is described as medium in height
with medium-strong straw strength and medium maturity.

Winter Wheat

Jerry is the most popular winter wheat variety planted in North Dakota for
2005. It was seeded on 32.6 percent of the planted acreage.

CDC Falcon places second with 15.0 percent of planted acreage. This short
variety with medium-strong straw strength and medium maturity has good
winter hardiness. The University of Saskatchewan and Western Plant Breeders
combined to release CDC Falcon in 2002.

Jagalene ranked third in 2005. It is short and characterized by strong
straw strength, early maturity and fair winter hardiness. Jagalene was
released by AgriPro in 2002.

Wesley comes in fourth with 6.4 percent of the winter wheat acreage.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
  David Knopf, Director
  USDA, NASS, North Dakota Field Office
  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/