Wheat Entomology Newsletter – June 12, 2023

Adam Osterholzer: adam.osterholzer@colostate.edu, 970-222-9568
Dr. Punya Nachappa: Punya.Nachappa@colostate.edu, 785-383-4873

Wheat field days
It was so great to see many of you during Wheat field days and to see the wheat crop looking so gorgeous! Thanks to Sally and her team, Colorado Wheat, and our growers for their support!

New sawfly in wheat-grass!
We are sorry to be the bearer of bad news but there appears to be a new sawfly infesting our wheat! PhD student, Henrique Vieira found many armyworm-like caterpillars and adults on wheat heads in New Raymer/Orchard a couple of weeks ago. Subsequently, one of the insect taxonomists at CSU, Dr. Crystal Cooke confirmed that it was grass sawfly (Pachynematus sp). It is relatively rare in Colorado and Dr. Peairs, former wheat entomologist, had not seen or heard of this sawfly in Colorado in his 30 years of experience.

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Premium Program

2026 program Information:

Ardent Mills has partnered with the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation (CWRF) and CSU for years to develop top performing wheat varieties that meet the special quality needed for UltraGrain®.

Eligible Plainsgold Varieties:

PlainsGold Hard White Winter wheat varieties are developed at Colorado State University (CSU) specifically for the quality characteristics needed by Ardent Mills, with the yield performance and agronomics needed by farmers.

For the 2026 crop year, the following varieties are included in the program: Snowmass 2.0, Breck, Monarch, Windom SF, and Telluride. Certified seed is required on all Ardent Mills contracts, and the use of glyphosate for pre-harvest crop desiccation is prohibited.

Ardent Mills is currently paying premiums as follows for the 2026 crop. Future year contracts are subject to market conditions and may change. For 2026, all varieties are paid at the same premium levels:

Delivery Points:

Once you have harvested your wheat crop, complete the program by delivering your qualifying wheat crop to the delivery point in Colorado or Nebraska as listed on your grain pricing schedule: