Beware of One-Year Wonder Wheat Varieties

Big yield numbers this season can blind us from digging for the bigger picture. Because weather conditions vary year-to-year, so can varietal performance. With winter wheat planting around the corner, it is important to choose varieties based on multi-year data.
Choosing varieties based on more than 1 year of data allows for a more accurate assessment of performance. By solely relying on the data results from 1 growing season, we neglect the fact that conditions are continuously changing – and what works best one year might not be best the following year.
We recommend choosing varieties based on 3 years of data for the most accurate predictions. Colorado State University and AgriPro® publish yearly performance data on the region’s top-yielding wheat varieties. Our most recommended AgriPro varieties include:
- SY Monument – This variety has good winter hardiness and good head size. It has a great yield record, excellent milling and baking quality, tolerance to stripe rust and leaf rust, and excellent acid soil tolerance.
- SY Rugged – In years of testing and its first year in fields, this variety produced high yields across variable environments with very good test weights, as well as rust and drought tolerance.
- SY Wolf – This variety is the best choice for no-till or wheat-fallow-wheat because of its disease tolerance under heavy residue.
- AP503 CL2 – This 2-gene variety is the best choice for managing rye, wild oats, and jointed goatgrass while producing top yields.
- Spur – This variety is the best solid-stem choice for wheat stem sawfly problems.
- SY Sunrise – This variety is our highest-yielding irrigated wheat and has good drought tolerance.
Our leading varieties stem from a 50+ year investment into the wheat industry and a broad testing program that has tested varieties in 159 locations and 90,467 yield plots. Our program features a broad, diverse pool of locally adapted genetics that gives growers more options for top-performers that fit their farm needs.
Check out our other tips for a successful winter wheat planting season.
For more information about AgriPro brand wheat varieties or to find a local AgriPro Associate, visit www.agriprowheat.com.
Sign up for the Know More, Grow More Digest to receive twice-monthly agronomic email updates pertinent to your area.
All photos are either the property of Syngenta or are used with permission.
Syngenta hereby disclaims liability for third-party websites.