August 6, 2012, Fort Collins, Colo. – Growers looking to increase yield and decrease risk will want to plant the best possible wheat varieties this fall for top yields next summer. The annual Wheat Planting Decision Meetings August 15-17 will offer growers insight into the highest-yielding varieties in the Colorado State University (CSU) Uniform Variety Performance Trials and Collaborative On-Farm Tests (COFT). Each grower who attends the meeting will receive a 1-gigabyte flash drive containing the Wheat Variety Database, which allows growers to make comparisons between varieties and look at data from the CSU trials going back to 1990.
Experts suggest planting more than one variety of wheat to manage some of the risk associated with Colorado’s unpredictable growing conditions. Growers attending these meetings will discover what portfolio of wheat varieties is best suited to their area and conditions. Varieties discussed will include popular varieties from CSU, AgriPro, WestBred, LimaGrain, Watley Seed, and other public programs in the region. Wheat varieties for irrigated production will also be discussed.
The Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC) and Colorado Wheat Research Foundation (CWRF) host the annual meetings. CSU Extension Specialist Dr. Jerry Johnson will share the CSU uniform wheat variety and COFT trial results for 2012 and variety recommendations; Dr. Scott Haley, CSU wheat breeder, will speak about new varieties, new developments in wheat breeding, and the wheat variety database; Rick Novak, Director of the Colorado Seed Growers Association, will present the availability and value of certified wheat seed and the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA); Karissa Jones of BASF will discuss the Clearfield® Production System for Wheat; and Darrell Hanavan, CWAC and CWRF executive director, will discuss CWAC research funding and the CWRF ConAgra Ultragrain® Premium Program.
“In a year with growing conditions as difficult and unpredictable as this, decreasing production risk becomes more important than ever. On our farm, we saw the benefits and increased yields of premier varieties, the value of certified seed, and the importance of the Clearfield production system. I would encourage Colorado wheat growers to attend their local Wheat Planting Decision Meetings to help them determine the best varieties for their particular farms and growing conditions.” said CWAC President Sara Olsen, Yuma. “Personally, I am going to learn more about the CWRF ConAgra Premium Program, get a free flash drive, and have a great meal! See you there!”
To learn more about the top wheat varieties and the economic advantages of certified seed, plan to attend the meeting nearest you. A complimentary meal will also be served. For more information, visit www.coloradowheat.org or call Colorado Wheat at (970) 449-6994 or toll free at 1-800-WHEAT10.
Meeting Dates and Locations
Wednesday, August 15:
12:00 p.m. Lunch meeting, Chez DuVall’s, Granada
Sponsored by Doug Melcher, PlainsGold seed grower
6:30 p.m. Dinner meeting, Community Center, Burlington
Sponsored by PlainsGold seed growers Randy Wilks, Kenneth Pottorff Seeds, and Tim Stahlecker
Thursday, August 16:
7:30 a.m. Breakfast meeting, Dry Creek Seed Company Plant near Genoa
Sponsored by PlainsGold seed dealer Dry Creek Seed Company
12:00 p.m. Lunch meeting, Central Great Plains Research Station near Akron
Sponsored by the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation
6:30 p.m. Dinner meeting, Anderson Wheat Farms near Dailey
Sponsored by PlainsGold seed dealer Anderson Wheat Farms
Friday, August 17:
7:30 a.m. Breakfast meeting at Midcap Farms near Wiggins
Sponsored by PlainsGold seed dealer Midcap Seed and Grain
About CWAC
The Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC) is the producer-elected board of control that administers funding from the producer-approved assessment of two cents per bushel for education, research and domestic and export promotion programs that increase the consumption and utilization of Colorado wheat.
About CWRF
The Colorado Wheat Research Foundation (CWRF) is a non-profit corporation that conducts educational and scientific programs related to wheat, including a program to acquire ownership and proprietary protection of new wheat varieties developed at CSU and collect royalties that are returned to CSU to support wheat breeding and wheat-related research. The CWRF Board of Directors is comprised of the executive committees of the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC) and the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers (CAWG).
