1999 North Dakota Wheat Varieties

HIGHLIGHTS

The durum wheat variety Ben, moved up to the top spot, pushing Renville and Monroe from their number one and two positions after six years on top. Rugby and Munich claimed the fourth and fifth positions. These five varieties made up 83.1 percent of the 3.55 million acres planted in North Dakota.

Roughrider maintained the top winter wheat variety despite dropping to 25.4 percent of North Dakota's 50,000 acres planted. Elkhorn, Seward, and Arapahoe were the second, third, and fourth leading varieties.
 

GROWING SEASON, 1999

SURVEY DESCRIPTION

Results include acreage and percentages at the state and Agricultural Statistics District levels. All variety data and planted district acreage in this publication are survey averages, not official estimates. The number of summarized reports produce highly reliable state averages. At a district level, the number of reports for minor varieties is generally limited, hence some of the yearly variation in the district averages may be the result of sample variation.

The North Dakota Wheat Commission and the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Agriculture Experiment Station provided supporting funds for this survey. The NDSU Extension Service provided variety descriptions. Free copies of the publication are available from the North Dakota Wheat Commission, 4023 State Street, Bismarck, ND 58501; telephone 701-328-5111.
 

SPRING WHEAT:

Russ moved up from third to the second most popular variety. It accounting for 14.4 percent of the spring wheat acres, compared to 8.3 percent last year. It was planted throughout the state and was a leading variety in the central district. Russ has medium height and straw strength, medium-early maturity rate, average test weight, and average protein.

The number three spot went to Amidon with 6.7 percent of the planted acreage, up from 5.3 percent in 1998. It has not held this high a position since 1993. Amidon was the leading variety in the northwest and west central districts with no reported acres in the northeast and east central districts. It is characterized by medium height, medium straw strength, medium maturity, high test weight, and average protein.

Gunner plantings ranked fourth representing 6.2 percent, up from .8 percent last year. It is described as having medium height, medium-strong straw strength, medium maturity, high test weight, and high protein.

DURUM WHEAT:

After six years at the number one position, Renville fell to second place with 21.6 percent, down from 30.6 percent last year. It was planted throughout the state and was the leading variety in the east cental and southeast districts. Renville has tall height, medium straw strength, and medium maturity.

Monroe dropped to third from second, which it has held the past six years, accounting for 13.5 percent, down from 18.5 percent. Monroe is described as having medium straw strength, early maturity, and large kernel size.

Rugby maintained its fourth place position with 11.1 percent, up from 9.2 percent in 1998. It was the leading variety in the north central and central districts. With very strong straw strength, Rugby has tall height and medium-early maturity.

WINTER WHEAT:

Elkhorn inched out Seward for the number two variety with 19.2 percent, down from 23.7 percent. An average quality variety, Elkhorn is characterized by medium straw strength and medium maturity.

Falling from second to third place after two consecutive years, Seward accounted for 19.0 percent, down from 27.4 last year.
It is described as having medium maturity, medium height, and medium-strong straw strength.

Arapahoe ranked fourth with 13.4 percent, up from 12.1 in 1998. It has medium maturity, medium straw strength, and medium height.

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