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The University
of Idaho wheat breeding program develops cultivars of wheat adapted
to the unique environments of the Rocky Mountain region. The program
has released ten cultivars in four market classes since 1987. The
approximate operating cost of the program, including external revenue,
is under $250,000 per year, and release of improved cultivars returns
many multiples of this investment to the state's economy. A Colorado
State University study of one of these wheats, Centennial spring
wheat, showed a $42 per acre increase production return to growers.
Centennial is better adapted to the high mountain valleys than previous
cultivars. From 1993 to 1996, Centennial spring wheat has added
an estimated $5 million to the Idaho economy.
In 1997, a farmer
coop was formed to specialty market Idaho 377s hard white, a new
class of wheat for Asian noodles. Pilot scale production (4,000
ac) of this new cultivar resulted in yields comparable to soft white
wheat with a $0.70 per bushel added return to the grower. Other
value-added work has focused on identity preserved, premium quality,
soft white wheats from the Idaho program such as Treasure, Pomerelle,
and Whitebird. This work with the milling and baking industry resulted
in $0.10 to $0.20 per bushel higher value for soft white wheat growers
participating in the program.
For more information
contact: Visit our Wheat
Breeding and Genetics Website
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