About Us

Western Wheat Quality Laboratory of the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service.

Our mission is threefold:

1) To conduct cooperative investigations with breeders, geneticists and pathologists in the seven western states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington) to evaluate the milling and baking quality characteristics of wheat selections produced each crop year. These investigations include several market classes and subclasses of wheat which are grown commercially in the Pacific Northwest and the Western Region. The investigations relate to wheat cultivar quality for commercial production and consumer acceptance with the goal of increasing economic benefit to the wheat industry.

2) To conduct basic research into the biochemical and genetic basis of wheat quality in order to better understand the fundamental nature of end-use functionality. The results of this basic research are incorporated into the cultivar development program to provide enhanced feedback into the selection process.

3) To develop new and better means to assess the quality of potential wheat cultivars through identification of critical quality parameters. This is coupled with the creation of new methods to assay the identified quality attributes.

USDA/ARS – Western Wheat Quality Laboratory
E-202 Food Science & Human Nutrition Facility East
P.O. Box 646394, Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6394
U.S.A.

Voice: 509.335.4062
Facsimile: 509.335.8573