As planting time approaches, refining winter wheat variety selection could be key to success with the 2027 crop.
“Most growers are chasing yield, but disease tolerance, end-use quality and agronomic characteristics like standability and maturity should be factored into their variety decisions,” said Mark Lubbers, WestBred Wheat technical product manager based in Wichita, Kansas. “Select varieties that have performed consistently well on the farm over several seasons, but also plan to plant multiple varieties this season.”
For parts of the central Plains and the Southwest, last year’s winter wheat crop was significantly impacted by drought and freeze. Each crop year is different. Planting three or four different varieties with a range of maturities, plant heights and disease-resistance packages can help overcome challenges in various growing conditions.
“We don’t know what each year will bring,” Lubbers said. “That’s why it’s important not to limit your operation to just one or two varieties. In drought-prone areas, some farmers may feel the urge to shift to planting more drought-tolerant varieties. Don’t make a knee-jerk reaction—make sure those varieties still meet your other agronomic needs.”
Disease and pest management should be considered when selecting varieties for planting, Lubbers said.
“Mosaic wheat streak, Fusarium head blight and Hessian fly can show up in the central Plains and Southern regions,” he said. “There are proven-performing WestBred winter wheat varieties bred to help with these pathogens and pests that growers can select for this planting season.”
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