Fort Collins, Colo. – PlainsGold® will market a new wheat variety in 2026. Foundation seed of Jim Quick will be sold beginning in September.
Jim Quick (formerly EXP CO19410R), is a hard red winter wheat with Avery and Antero in its background. Variety trials have shown it to be about six bushels/acre higher yielding than Avery, with a higher test weight as well. Being hollow-stemmed, it does not carry any resistance to the wheat stem sawfly, but it has very good resistance to the wheat virus complex and stripe rust. The variety also has very good quality that will meet the needs of millers and bakers. Jim Quick is adapted to a large growing region that covers much of the Central Plains.
The variety is named after Dr. Jim Quick, who was the third Wheat Breeder of the CSU Wheat Breeding and Genetics Program, leading the program from 1980 until 1998. He released twelve varieties during his tenure, including Lamar, Yuma, Akron, Prowers 99, and the first Russian Wheat Aphid-resistant variety in the United States, Halt.
“Dr. Jim Quick was a commanding presence at Wheat Field Days throughout the 80s and 90s, educating farmers about utilizing the new wheat varieties bred specifically for their Colorado conditions,” said Brad Erker, Executive Director of the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. “He was Advisor to numerous graduate students who went on to leadership roles in the wheat industry. He modernized the program, bringing it into the computer age, and left the program on solid footing when he turned it over to Dr. Scott Haley. The CWRF Board felt that naming this variety after him was a great way to honor Dr. Quick’s legacy.”
Jim Quick was developed by the Wheat Breeding and Genetics Program at Colorado State University (CSU). Through a long-standing partnership between CSU and CWRF, ownership has been transferred to CWRF, which will market the variety under its PlainsGold® brand.
Wheat farmers can find more information on PlainsGold®, including a list of all seed growers, at www.PlainsGold.com, or by contacting the PlainsGold® office toll-free at 1-800-WHEAT-10, or (970) 449-6994.