CWRF Wheat Varieties

Over the past few years, Colorado growers have made substantial yield gains with new Colorado State University (CSU) varieties like Hatcher, Ripper and Bill Brown, varieties developed in Colorado that are specifically bred for Colorado wheat growers. The benefit of locally bred wheat varieties was obvious in 2010, when Colorado set a new yield record of 45 bushels per acre.

By focusing solely on the needs of Colorado growers, the CSU wheat breeding program has developed varieties specifically tailored to the extremes of the Colorado growing conditions. Our altitude, dry conditions, and high temperatures often cause more extreme stresses than more eastern areas of the Great Plains. Varieties bred for narrow adaptation to more eastern areas of the Great Plains simply aren’t as well adapted to Colorado’s conditions as CSU-developed varieties, giving CSU-developed varieties a yield advantage.

The complete portfolio of CSU-developed varieties arms growers with complementary wheat varieties that perform best in Colorado year in and year out. Extensive plot testing across the state indicates these are the top-yielding varieties for a variety of Colorado conditions, including dryland and irrigated production, drought stress, disease and insect infestations, and more. Colorado wheat growers can use the diversity of CSU-developed wheat varieties to manage the risk associated with Colorado’s unpredictable growing conditions.

Growers who reap the benefit of these improved certified seed varieties also help support the CSU Wheat Breeding and Genetics program through a small royalty. Since 1995, CWRF has provided nearly $1.4 million in royalties to support continued wheat research and breeding at CSU. Together with support from check-off funds, these dollars help to preserve a strong public wheat breeding program at CSU. Investing in certified seed is an investment in improved varieties for the future.

Snowmass (2009) Hard White Winter Wheat

  • Top dryland yields, comparable to the popular varieties Ripper and Hatcher
  • Excellent overall disease resistance package – stripe and stem rust, wheat streak mosaic virus
  • Sprout tolerance better than Platte, similar to Trego, less than Danby
  • Part of CWRF/Conagra Ultragrain Premium Program

Thunder CL (2008) Hard White Winter Wheat, Clearfield

  • Top yielder under irrigation, high dryland yields under stress
  • Good test weight, excellent milling and baking quality
  • Good resistance to stem rust, stripe rust, wheat streak mosaic virus
  • Part of CWRF/Conagra Ultragrain Premium Program

Bill Brown (2007)

  • High dryland and irrigated yields
  • High test weight, good milling and baking quality
  • Resistant to leaf rust, moderate resistance to stripe rust

Ripper (2006)

  • High dryland yield and yield stability
  • Excellent drought and high temperature stress tolerance
  • Excellent milling and baking quality
  • Resistant to new race of stem rust, Ug-99

Hatcher (2004)

  • High dryland yield and yield stability
  • Moderate resistance to stripe rust
  • Excellent milling and baking quality
  • Shattering tolerant, medium-long coleoptile

Bond CL – Clearfield wheat for grassy weeds (2004)

  • Top yielder under irrigation, high dryland yields
  • Taller plant type relative to Above
  • Shattering tolerant
  • Clearfield wheat, no saving of seed

Ankor (2002) – RWA resistant* Akron type

  • High dryland yields, early row closure, shattering tolerant
  • Better baking quality, straw strength, and yield than Akron

Above (2001) – Clearfield wheat for grassy weeds

  • High yields, excellent stress tolerance
  • Shattering tolerant
  • Marginal baking quality
  • No seed saving allowed

Avalanche (2001) – Hard white winter wheat

  • High test weights
  • Excellent fall growth and spring regrowth
  • Shattering tolerant

Prairie Red (1998) – TAM 107 type

  • Excellent stress tolerance
  • Shattering tolerant
  • Marginal baking quality

Prowers 99 (1997) – Lamar type

  • Tall wheat for increased residue
  • High test weights and excellent quality
  • Long coleoptile, excellent emergence

Yumar (1997) – Yuma type

  • High dryland yields at higher production levels
  • Excellent straw strength
  • Excellent baking quality

Halt (1994)

  • Yields comparable to TAM 107, greater at higher production levels
  • Excellent baking quality