Preferred Variety Description

The Preferred Variety pamphlet is a cooperative effort of the Idaho Wheat Commission, Oregon Wheat Commission, and Washington Grain Commission. Samples from the university state variety trials are evaluated for end-use quality in a robust statistical format. Samples are analyzed from multiple locations for a minimum of three years. At least 15 observations must be available for analysis for varieties to be listed. Statistics are produced using paired test-check observations. The statistic Student’s t is used as the metric to assign differences. In cooperation with the Pacific Northwest Wheat Quality Council, an overall quality formula has been adopted assigning approximately 10% for grain properties, 30% milling properties, and 60% baking properties to produce an overall score.

The wheat quality labs from each state meet each year to evaluate the data and assign quality groupings of Most Desirable MD, Desirable D, Acceptable A, Least Desirable LD, and Unacceptable except Customer Specified UCS. For UCS, growers are encouraged to find a specific user to purchase the grain as its quality profile does not meet market expectations for the class.

For varieties to be listed in the pamphlet, they must either be on significant acres in at least one of the three states or be a newly released line. The state wheat commissions encourage farmers and seed managers to use this pamphlet when making planting decisions. Most growers can identify the top two of three prospective varieties to grow on their farms. At that point, please choose the variety higher on the quality list.

For the list of preferred varieties, please download the PDF.

Download PDF: 2016 Preferred Wheat Varieties