nd-crops

NEWS RELEASE                                            Wheat Varieties
                                                          July 21, 2004

               Alsen is North Dakota's top spring wheat variety

For the third consecutive year, Alsen was the leading spring wheat variety
on North Dakota's planted acreage. Reeder remains second. Briggs and
Knudson jump from twelfth and fourteenth in 2003 to third and fifth,
respectively. Parshall falls to fourth from third in 2003. These top five
varieties account for 63.6 percent of the planted acreage. North Dakota
continues to rank first in spring wheat planted acreage in the United
States, with 46.1 percent of the nation's total.

Lebsock and Mountrail respectively rank first and second in North Dakota
durum planted acreage. Ben falls to third place after leading for five
consecutive years. These top three varieties make up 69.4 percent of the
planted acreage. Monroe ranks fourth, a climb from sixth in 2003. The
leading four durum varieties are all North Dakota releases. Kyle drops one
place from fourth last year to fifth in 2004. Once again, North Dakota
ranks first in durum planted acreage in the United States, with 69.3
percent of the nation's total.

Jerry has the largest share of the 2004 winter wheat acreage. Following
Jerry in order are Wesley, Ransom, Crimson, Elkhorn and Roughrider. These
top six varieties are 64.8 percent of the planted acreage. Wesley (second)
and Roughrider (sixth) are only separated by 5.0 percent. This year there
are more acres in North Dakota planted with winter wheat than in any year
since 1990.

The data in this report is based on results of a June survey of nearly 2000
wheat producers conducted by USDA's North Dakota Agricultural Statistics
Service. 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 this 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 28.9
percent of the planted acres. Still leading in all except the three
southern districts, it is planted on fewer acres in each district this
year.

Reeder is second overall for the third consecutive year, and leads the
southwest and south central districts. It has 13.3 percent of the statewide
spring wheat planted acreage.

Briggs is third in the state with 7.6 percent of the spring wheat acreage.
It is a 2002 South Dakota release with semi-dwarf height, strong straw
strength, medium-early maturity rate and leaf rust resistance.

Parshall ranks fourth with 7.1 percent of the spring wheat acreage.

Durum Wheat

Lebsock ranks first among durum wheat varieties planted in North Dakota for
2004. With 27.9 percent of the planted acreage, it claims the largest share
since 2000 when Ben had 29.0 percent.

Mountrail climbed to second overall, though its 21.3 percent of the durum
planted acreage is down from 21.8 last year. It leads the northwest
district for the third straight year.

Ben is third in the state with 20.2 percent of the durum acreage; its
popularity leads the southwest.

Monroe places fourth, and is another variety that ranks higher this year
with less acreage. Down slightly from 4.3 percent in 2003, this year's 4.2
percent of durum acreage earns its highest ranking since 2000.

Winter Wheat

Jerry is the most popular winter wheat variety planted in North Dakota for
2004. It was seeded on 28.3 percent of the planted acreage.

Wesley comes in second with 9.0 percent of winter wheat acreage. The
product of a combined effort in Nebraska, Wyoming and South Dakota, it was
released in 2000. Wesley is described as short with medium-strong straw
strength, medium-early maturity and fair winter hardiness.

Ransom places third with 7.3 percent of winter wheat acreage, after leading
last year with 16.2 percent.

Crimson ranked fourth among winter wheat varieties in 2004.  Released by
South Dakota in 1997, it has medium height, medium-strong straw strength,
a medium maturity rate and fair to good winter hardiness.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
  David Knopf, Director
  North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service
  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/