JUNE 2017

Texas Wheat RepresentativesJody Bellah, Throckmorton

Scott Born, Ferris Collin Bowers, Spearman

David Cleavinger, Wildorado Bryan Clift, Stratford Ken Davis, Grandview Glen Gibson, Lometa

Scott McGarraugh, Perryton Gary Murphy, Dawson Jack Norman, Howe Ben Scholz, Lavon

Corby Shadid, Panhandle Freddie Streit, Vernon

Tommy Womack, Tulia

Texas Wheat StaffRodney Mosier

Executive Vice President rmosier@texaswheat.org

Steelee Fischbacher Director of Policy & Marketing sfischbacher@texaswheat.org

Darby Sullivan

Director of Communications & Producer Relations

darby@texaswheat.org

Paula Jacobs Administrative Assistant pjacobs@texaswheat.org

Contact UsTexas Wheat Producers Board & Association

5405 West Interstate 40 Amarillo, TX 79106

info@texaswheat.org www.texaswheat.org

This is a publication of the Texas Wheat Producers Board & Association, as well as a supplement to the Southwest Farm Press Publication.

texaswheat

@texaswheat

The Texas Wheat Producers Board will continue to focus strongly on statewide wheat research in the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The board designated $289,500 to fund projects with the purpose of increasing wheat yields, developing superior genetics and exploring favorable growing practices. The following descriptions outline some of the projects and their results so far.

Wheat Breeding ProgramsThe goal of the wheat breeding program, led by Dr. Jackie Rudd and Dr. Amir Ibrahim of Texas A&M AgriLife, is to design high performing varieties for various growing regions in Texas.

The High Plains trials were excellent in 2016, with near record high yields at Bushland, excellent yields at Clovis, NM, and good yields at Dumas, even with some hail damage. The 2017 Texas wheat variety survey showed that TAM 111 and TAM 112 are still two of the most popular varieties in Texas and Western Kansas. Efforts in South, Central, and Northeast Texas resulted in newer breeds of semi-dwarf germplasm and cultivars with strong stems and high yield potential that respond better to inputs and generally have greater resistance to pathogens and insects.

Screening of Synthetic Hexaploid Wheat GermplasmThe goal of this program, led by Dr. Jackie Rudd, is to introduce new genetic diversity to modern wheat varieties to produce higher yielding varieties with improved resistance to environmental stresses.

In 2003, funding provided by the Texas Wheat Producers Board was

used to combine species of wheat relatives with elite TAM wheat varieties. The result was more than 5,000 genetic lines which contain a host of beneficial traits such as higher grain yield and forage production and larger seed size. The current funding from the board will go toward enhanced screening of the derived wheat lines to allow quick advancement of the best genetics for further development.

Wheat Variety TrialsTexas growers have to make financially crucial decisions each year, including varietal selection, which can directly impact crop success and profitability. When making these decisions, it is imperative that producers have access to accurate, verified information regarding the varieties that are available.

The variety trials published by the Texas AgriLife system allow producers to evaluate the

performance characteristics of various varieties throughout particular growing regions. These trials are essential in identifying varieties that perform well under drought, heat, insect and disease stress and those which will be more economically viable for producers within a particular region.

As growing conditions vary from year to year, the trials paint a picture of performance and hardiness that producers need to know to protect their bottom line. Each year the TWPB funds these trials, participates in the field days, and publishes the results in the annual Texas Wheat Seed Book to educate producers about the top performing varieties.

TEXAS WHEAT FUNDS ADVANCEMENT OF WHEAT BREEDING RESEARCH

RESEARCH FUNDINGBY CATEGORY

2 :: TEXAS WHEAT

HOUSE BILL SEEKS TO DOUBLE MAP AND FMD FUNDING

U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers have voiced their support of HR 2321, the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act. This bill would double the funding of USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), two initiatives the Texas Wheat Producers Board endorse as viable means of expanding wheat export markets.

MAP and FMD were introduced in 1985 and 1955, respectively, in an effort to stimulate U.S. commodity exports by providing matched funding to groups that participate in market promotion. The percentage of matching is based on the type of initiative and ranges from 10 percent to 50 percent. Currently, 70 percent of funds for market development come from the private sector, including state organizations like the Texas Wheat Producers Board. HR 2321 would increase matching from 10 percent to 50 percent in all initiative areas, increasing the total amount of financial resources for international market development promotion.

In a recent study by Texas A&M University, researchers concluded that the two programs generated a net return of $28.30 for every dollar invested between 1977 and 2014 and supplemented an average of $8.7 billion to farm cash receipts annually. Between 2002 and 2014, USDA export promotions have added $39.3 billion in gross economic output and $16.9 billion to the gross domestic product, while providing more than 239,800 full and part-time jobs.

According to the study, if proposed funding of MAP and FMD was approved, the GDP gains would increase from $4.5

billion to $6 billion, while average agricultural export gains would increase from $3.4 billion to $4.5 billion. However, USDA has not allocated an increase in funding to MAP since 2006 or FMD since 2002. Inflation, administrative costs, and other factors have eroded the available funds over the past 15 years. U.S. Representatives Dan Newhouse and Chelli Pingree, the sponsors of HR 2321, are clear about their belief that if we don’t act quickly, America could lose its position as a global market leader.

“The EU is spending $255.3 million to promote wine alone in 2017, more than the U.S. spends on commodity promotions through MAP and FMDP combined,” said Newhouse and Pingree.

USDA has allocated $173 million to 65 commodity groups through MAP and $26.6 million to 23 commodity groups through FMD for the 2017 fiscal year. U.S. Wheat Associates will receive $6 million of these funds.

Newhouse and Pingree stated that this puts U.S. producers at a disadvantage as we continue our efforts to further access export opportunities because foreign competitors have increased export promotional programs, leading to a stronger hold on international markets.

Texas Wheat supports the expansion of trade and export access. The opportunity to increase funding to MAP and FMD could benefit producers, strengthen the U.S. economy and create jobs.

TEXAS WHEAT :: 3

Texas wheat harvest got off to an early start this year. Producers in the Gulf Coast region started harvest on April 3, a full three weeks ahead of schedule. Their initial loads showed good test weight, averaging 58.5 pounds per bushel, and high protein content at 14 percent.

By May 1, harvest had begun in the Blacklands region. Hessian fly damage was present, but inconsistent, and low vernalization was an issue across the area. Producers reported good test weight but low protein content. Some fields had yields over 60 bushels per acre.

Harvest was just gearing up in the Rolling Plains in mid-May. The wheat appeared to be in good condition, with some test weights exceeding 60 pounds per bushel, but protein content averaged 10 percent. Producers were seeing yields of 20-30 bushels per acre. Harvest slowed down in mid-May due to moisture.

Producers in the High Plains were concerned about hail damage as wheat headed out. Stripe rust and wheat streak mosaic virus was common, especially in dryland plots.

As of May 14, 7 percent of planted acres had been harvested.

WHEAT HARVEST UPDATE

Texas growers are urged to consider planting varieties with proven history and Texas A&M AgriLife has made that decision easier by creating a list of wheat varieties for the 2017 crop year that researchers would choose to include on their farms for grain production. The criteria includes a minimum of three years of data in AgriLife wheat variety trials across numerous locations. Picks are not necessarily the numerical top yielders as important disease resistance traits, insect tolerance or standability can also be important varietal traits that enable a producer to better manage potential risk.

TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE PICKS FOR THE 2017 CROP

High Plains “Picks List”Full Irrigation Limited Irrigation Dryland

TAM 113 TAM 111 TAM 111

TAM 114 TAM 112 TAM 112

WB Grainfield TAM 113 TAM 113

Iba TAM 114 TAM 114

Winterhawk WB Grainfield WB Grainfield

TAM 308 Iba Iba

T158 T158

Winterhawk Winterhawk

Blacklands “Picks List”HRWW SRWW

WB Cedar Coker 9553

Iba AGS 2055

Gallagher USG 3201

Greer Dyna-Gro 9012

TAM 304

Roll ing Plains “Picks List”Full Irrigation

Greer

TAM 114

WB Cedar

Gallagher

WB 4458

TAM 304

South Texas “Picks List”HRWW HRSW SRWW

TAM 304 Expresso USG 3120

TAM 305 Rockland SY Cypress

TAM 401

Duster

Billings

Pick varieties will be updated based on performance data from the 2017 Uniform Variety Trials, which will be published in the 2017 Texas Wheat Seed Book.

Winter wheat production at 69

million bushels, down 23 percent from 2016.

TOTAL PRODUCTION YIELD PER ACREHARVESTED ACREAGE

FOR GRAINAverage of 30

bushels per acre, down 4 bushels from last year.

Harvested acreage for grain at 2.3 million acres, is down 18 percent from 2016.

TEXAS WHEAT PRODUCTION ESTIMATE AS OF MAY 10, 2017, VIA NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE

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2017 TEXAS WHEAT VARIETY SURVEY RESULTS

Texas Wheat Percent Seeded for2017 by Type

Top 10 Varieties Planted for 2016 and 2017

VarietyPercent of Acres Rank

2016 2017 2016 2017TAM 111 17.6 13.7 1 1

TAM 112 6.9 4.7 2 2

TAM 113 3.1 3.1 4 3

Gallagher 1.6 2.8 10 4

WB Cedar 2.2 2.6 9 5

Greer 2.3 2.2 8 6

Fannin 2.5 2.2 6 7

Weathermaster 135 2.4 2.1 7 8

TAM 401 1.4 2.0 11 9

TAM 105 2.7 2.0 5 10

The Texas Wheat Producers Board held its biennial election to fill five expiring six-year terms from March 24 until April 7. Five nominees were reelected to their current seats on the board. The expiring terms included Collin Bowers of District I, David Cleavinger of District II, Jody Bellah of District III, Glen Gibson of District IV and Gary Murphy of District IV.

At the May 4 Texas Wheat Producers Board meeting, members elected new officers to fill expiring positions on the Executive Committee. Ben Scholz will serve as Chairman, Collin Bowers as Vice Chairman, and Ken Davis as Secretary/Treasurer. Each

officer will serve a two-year term.

The board members were sworn in and new officers were confirmed by an official from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Board members are responsible for the allocation of funds from a state-wide wheat producer assessment of two cents per bushel. These funds are applied to wheat research, education and market development to further the wheat industry in Texas.

TEXAS WHEAT PRODUCERS BOARD ELECTS 2017-2018 OFFICERS

This year, the Texas Wheat Producers Board, in part with other industry groups, funded a survey of wheat producers to determine the varieties planted for the 2017 crop year. The survey was conducted by the USDA/National Agricultural Statistics Service Southern Plains Regional Field Office from December 2016 through January 2017 and designed to gather information about planting practices, management decisions and variety selection.

According to the survey, the top two varieties planted in Texas were TAM 111 and TAM 112. Hard red winter wheat accounted for 86 percent of all planted wheat in Texas. There was an increase in soft red winter acres after excessive rains prevented planting in 2016, but low prices caused hard red spring wheat to suffer a decline in acres.

In both the Panhandle and South Plains, the top two varieties were TAM 111 and TAM 112, with TAM 113 acreage continuing to increase. In the Rolling Plains, the top three varieties were Gallagher, Jackpot and TAM 401. In Central Texas, WB Cedar and TAM 304 were the most popular, while Fannin and Gallagher were supreme in the South region.

Dr. Clark Neely, the Small Grains and Oilseed Extension Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, offered some insight into the results of the survey.

“Soft red winter wheat acreage in 2017 was comparable to what we typically see. I found the decrease in hard red spring wheat a little surprising as acreage had been slowly creeping up the past 3 years. As for hard red winter wheat, Duster was the only variety that dropped out of the top 10 statewide, I think largely due to rust issues. There are a handful of varieties, such as TAM 401, Greer and WB 4458, which have lower vernalization requirements and could see a bump in acres. Results from variety trials harvested this year will shed more light on low vernalization winter wheats adapted for south Texas, where severe vernalization is an issue.”

The results of this survey and previous surveys are available on the Texas Wheat website and at www.varietytesting.tamu.edu.