JUNE 2013

Texas Wheat Representatives

Bob Beakley, Ennis Jody Bellah, Throckmorton Collin Bowers, Spearman David Cleavinger, Wildorado Bryan Clift, Stratford Ken Davis, Grandview Fred Dwyer, Wichita Falls C.L. Edwards, Panhandle Glen Gibson, Lometa Ron Kuehler, Groom Scott McGarraugh, Perryton Gary Murphy, Dawson Jack Norman, Howe Ben Scholz, Wylie Freddie Streit, Vernon Tommy Womack, Tulia

Texas Wheat Crop Struggles with Freeze, Drought

The worst Ive ever seen, was a phrase commonly heard during regional freeze injury assessment meetings held throughout the Rolling Plains and Panhandle this spring. Agronomists, extension agents and wheat researchers agreed that damage sustained from five significant freeze events that rolled through the Texas High Plains during March and April was widespread but also highly variable. Farmers from across the region showed up carrying samples of limp, discolored wheat, but freezing temperatures were not the only battle the 2013 wheat crop faced. The lack of moisture throughout the winter was worse on my wheat, said David Cleavinger, a farmer in Wildorado. The freezing temperatures were just the nail in the coffin. The first bout of freezing temperatures occurred during the second week in April and wreaked the most havoc on the Rolling Plains crop. In February my wheat was the best I had ever seen, said Wichita Falls farmer Fred Dwyer. By the end of April, that same wheat was toast due to freeze injury and rainfall that never came. According to Texas A&M AgriLife wheat breeder Dr. Jackie Rudd, several variety trial locations in the High Plains were severely damaged. Each of the first three freezes took their toll, but the freeze on April 24 was the most damaging, said Rudd. When evaluating one particular variety trial location, most of the heads were dead in the places we checked. Wheat at the Bushland station was better, but I still estimate well over a 50 percent loss there. Freezing temperatures continued sporadically through early May in the Texas Panhandle overshadowing the news of the continuing lack of moisture. The loss of grain yield potential from freeze injury presented additional challenges for farmers as they made production decisions on the wheat left in the field. According to Texas Wheat Vice President for Legislative Affairs Kody Bessent, there are currently no rules in the Loss Adjustment Manual, the document which governs crop insurance practices, to assess yield loss in wheat prior to heading of the plant. Most of the wheat in the Panhandle was in the joint or boot stage when the freezes occurred, said Bessent. In some fields the damage, especially damage to the stem of the plant, was clearly visible; however, without the proper rules in place crop adjusters were not able to release acres because of the early state of maturity. The need for speedy crop insurance adjustment was quickly acknowledged as a top need for producers and the Texas Wheat Producers Association began working with other groups to form solutions. Weve been working closely with the Risk Management Agency, members of the U.S. House and Senate and local groundwater districts to highlight the need for action in damaged wheat crops, said Bessent. Many producers also expressed concern over a possible lack of seed for fall planting. When you look at deteriorating crop conditions across several key wheat regions you start worrying about the availability and quality of seed wheat, said Jody Bellah, a farmer in Throckmorton. The Texas Wheat Producers Board has been involved in industry discussions aimed at expanding the amount of certified seed available for 2013 planting. In early May, the National Agricultural Statistics Service released their first estimate for Texas Winter Wheat production. The statewide estimate came in at 54 million bushels, down 44 percent from 2012. Production in the Texas High Plains was estimated at 6.70 million bushels, down 77 percent from last year.

Texas Wheat Staff

Rodney Mosier Executive Vice President rmosier@texaswheat.org Kody Bessent VP of Legislative Affairs kbessent@texaswheat.org Steelee Fischbacher Director of Communications sfischbacher@texaswheat.org Paula Jacobs Administrative Assistant pjacobs@texaswheat.org

Contact Us
Texas Wheat Producers Board & Association 5405 West Interstate 40 Amarillo, TX 79106 1.888.40.WHEAT info@texaswheat.org www.texaswheat.org This is a publication of the Texas Wheat Producers Board & Association, and a supplement to the Farmer-Stockman Magazine.

Promoting Wheat Around the World

It may come as a surprise to some farmers, but at any given hour of the day there is probably someone, somewhere, talking about the quality, reliability and value of U.S. wheat. All of this is thanks to the partnership between the Texas Wheat Producers Board, other state wheat organizations and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the overseas marketing arm of the wheat industry. USW currently operates 17 foreign offices and works with customers in more than 100 countries. To prove the point, weve put together highlights from activities held this spring around the world to promote U.S. wheat in an ever more complex world grain market.

TAKING BAKING ON THE ROAD IN THE PHILIPPINES

USW participated in the launch of Flourish Pilipinas Bake it fun in the Philippines as part of a successful, long-term initiative to support local milling and baking organizations in its efforts to promote wheat foods consumption. This yearlong campaign, co-sponsored by the Philippine Department of Tourism and U.S. wheat customer URC Flour Mill, will include baking and recipe competitions, a four-city baking academy roadshow and a World Bread Day fair.

TWPB member Jack Norman meets with U.S. Wheat Associates staff and international customers in April.

FROZEN DOUGH COURSE BRINGS TOGETHER CHINESE MILLERS AND BAKERS

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP IN TAIWAN

Eleven bakers and research and development managers from China participated in an eight-day Frozen Dough Workshop at the Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) in Portland, OR. The team members represented three flour mills and major bakery chains in the Yangtze River Delta Region and coastal Fujian Province. Guo Ji Guang, the chairman of Fujian Provinces Fumao Bakery Enterprises, said the course was a great opportunity for bakers and millers to study baking technology together.

The Taiwan Provincial Bakers Associations (TPBA) is celebrating its 65th anniversary. Established in 1948, the TPBA includes 14 local bakers associations from 14 counties in Taiwan. USW has worked with TPBA for 30 years to organize baking seminars and promote healthy bakery products. To join in the celebration, USW is providing TPBA with articles on joint activities for a commemorative magazine TPBA is publishing for its anniversary.

U.S. WHEAT MEETING GHANAS NEEDS

ANNUAL U.S. WHEAT ANALYSIS UNDERWAY

Thirty-three USW partners are receiving flour samples this month as part of USWs Overseas Varietal Analysis (OVA) program. Partners will analyze and compare samples to their current commercial flours based on flour quality and end product performance. Bakery Consultant Roy Chung (USW/ Singapore) organized an annual OVA Technical Seminar in March to bring cooperators from seven mills in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia together to run quality tests on 30 varieties from four classes of wheat. Cooperators in Europe, Asia, Latin and Central America, Africa and the Middle East will begin evaluating flour samples of HRW, SRW, HRS, SW and durum wheat.

USW Assistant Regional Director Gerald Theus (USW/ Cape Town) met with flour milling groups in Accra, Ghana, to discuss wheat imports. Ghana has imported 47,000 MT of HRW so far in 2012/13, up 26 percent from the same period last year. In 2011/12, Ghana imported a total of 493,000 metric tons (MT) of wheat, including 73,000 MT from the United States. Mills in Ghana are looking for U.S. wheat to blend with competitor wheat to produce viable French-type baguette flour. Instant noodles, a highly successful trend in Nigeria, are also expected to expand into Ghana, an ideal use for HRW.

BRAZILIANS VISIT U.S. WHEAT FARM

MASTERING WHOLE WHEAT PRODUCTS

Two master bakers and two flour millers from Korea participated in a Whole Wheat Research Baking Short Course in February at the WMC. The team evaluated whole wheat bakery products including pan breads, pita breads and crackers using blends of HRS, HRW and SW wheat. Participants also visited a local bakery to learn about artisan baking for baguettes, French rolls and sourdough breads.

USW Santiago staff helped organize a trip for three Bunge Brazil executives to visit Manhattan, KS, in early April, including Manager of Wheat Origination Edson Csipai. Bunge is the largest milling company in Brazil, importing 1.5 MMT of wheat annually. Stops included the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, the International Grains Program, USDAs Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, AIB International and a wheat farm near Manhattan.

2 :: Texas Wheat

Research Remains Top Priority for Wheat

When it comes to the statewide wheat
checkoff program, some participants often wonder where their money is going. The simple answer is that the two-cent assessment is allocated to research, market development and education, but the real answer lies in the results of those efforts. Every year the research committee of the Texas Wheat Producers Board meets to analyze research proposals submitted by Texas A&M AgriLife Researchers across the state and prioritizes funds for the completion of critical wheat projects. The summary of ongoing research presented here is a snapshot of current accomplishments and future goals for wheat growers investment in the advancement of the crop.

Breeding Drought Disease Production Practices Variety Trials End Use Soft Red Education

49% 9% 9% 9% 8% 8% 5% 4%
2013 TWPB RESEARCH FUNDING BY CATEGORY
All research projects are conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension.

WHEAT BREEDING PROGRAM

The top priority for growers and the members of the TWPB continues to be improved genetics through a concentrated wheat breeding program. Each year the breeding program receives the largest amount of funds distributed by the board and successes continue rolling in. During the past five years, the breeding program has released TAMsoft 700, TAM 401 and TAM 113, all highly-efficient varieties which respond better to inputs and possess superb resistance to pathogens and insects. In the High and Rolling Plains breeding program two new cultivars are being increased with the intent to release. The first is a beardless wheat with resistance to greenbug, Hessian fly, leaf, stripe and stem rust. The second is a later-maturing wheat with high grain yield potential and strong dough strength properties. The variety will be suited for direct marketing for specialty end-use quality.

To date, four populations have been mapped and segregated for drought tolerance, rust resistance, Hessian fly resistance and good end-use quality. Forty-three trait markers have been identified.

as a top priority project by farmers across the state. Drought stress is the single most important factor for reducing yields and water use efficiency in the Southern Great Plains. Current studies surveying variety responses to differing water regimes will reveal variety recommendations for farmers based on irrigation potential. The results of the study will also reveal traits that will help wheat breeders and geneticists to accelerate cultivar development and improve line selection efficiency. The first year of the study revealed that maintaining higher biomass is important for high yield under drought stress.

WHEAT VARIETY TRIALS

The Uniform Wheat Variety Trials provide essential information for producers year after year. Growers need to be able to see how different varieties perform under various climates and soil types. The development of the trials has led to the most widely-used wheat research data across the state. Each year the trials are put on show for producers through various wheat field days and harvest data is collected, published and widely distributed for farmers to use. Regional, multi-year data is summarized and available throughout the year as well. The board publishes the trial data in the annual Texas Wheat Seed Book and hosts the results online at www.texaswheat.org. A new project funded within the trails is the addition of a uniform fungicide trial. The three-year study will evaluate the use and application of various fungicides to determine resistant varieties and the economic value of applied treatments.

MITE-VECTORED DISEASES OF WHEAT

MARKER-ASSISTED BREEDING

History has shown how crippling an outbreak of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus can be for the Texas Panhandle crop. The virus, transmitted by the wheat curl mite, has been a mystery for researchers for year but significant progress has been made with utilizing funds from the board. A study concluding in 2012 revealed a surprising level of resistance to both the mite and the Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus in TAM 112. The development has spurred further research on the genetic mechanisms of resistance in TAM 112 and is expected to provide significant progress in breeding for resistance in other varieties. Continued on page 4

As a complement to the wheat breeding program, the use of marker-assisted breeding can significantly increase genetic line development by reducing the time to identify favorable traits in wheat germplasm. Multiple desired resistance and efficiency traits can now be identified in germplasm by comparing data with mapped traits on other lines.

DROUGHT TOLERANCE

Ongoing research of drought and heat tolerance in wheat is consistently rated

Texas Wheat Elects New Officer Team

During a recent meeting, members of the Texas Wheat Producers Board elected a new slate of officers to serve as leaders of the statewide wheat checkoff program. Jody Bellah (center) of Throckmorton will serve as Chairman, Freddie Streit (right) of Vernon as Vice Chairman, and Ben Scholz (left) of Wylie as Secretary/ Treasurer. Texas Wheat Producers Board officers serve two-year terms and elections are held biennially in May. The board is comprised of fifteen farmers who represent four districts throughout the state.

Research Continued
SRWW
Wheat is the most important and widely planted crop in Northeast Texas where a large portion of acres are planted to Soft Red Winter Wheat. Every year the board allocates a portion of research dollars to SRWW projects to provide valuable input for farmers who grow the unique class of wheat. Twenty seven SRWW experiments were planted across the northeast region in the fall of 2012. Topics of interest include comparisons of HRWW and SRWW for performance, application of fungicides to battle stripe and leaf rust, spring Nitrogen rates, evaluation of chemical control products and a wheat, soybean double crop study. Last year research funded by the board led to three publications, including a new variety selection tool, a survey of profitability of tebuconazole use in wheat and herbicide resistant ryegrass management guidelines. All publications have been widely used in the region and are available online at www.texaswheat. org.

Texas Wheat Seats New Member

Following the conclusion of a statewide producer election, five members were elected to fill expiring six-year terms on the Texas Wheat Producers Board. Bryan Clift of Stratford was elected to the District I seat previously held by Cagle Kendrick. Four producers were re-elected to their current seats on the board including Tommy Womack of Tulia, Fred Dwyer of Wichita Falls, Jack Norman of Howe, and Ken Davis of Grandview. The board members were sworn in by an official from the Texas Department of Agriculture on May 1. Each member will represent growers from their district as they oversee and manage all activities of the board related to research, market development and education.

MILLING AND BAKING QUALITY

To remain competitive in the global wheat market, Texas must retain its claim of providing consistent, high-quality wheat. To achieve that goal, the board funds end-use quality research which provides a quality check for the Texas wheat breeding program. The focus of the project is to eliminate poor-quality wheat lines early in the development phase and advance wheat with superior end-use quality characteristics. Last year 400 samples were screened for hardness, composition and milling and mixing properties. As a result of the program, 1500 lines have been eliminated from the breeding program ensuring that further variety releases have acceptable quality parameters for wheat customers.

Newly elected board members Fred Dwyer (District III), Jack Norman (District IV), Ken Davis (District IV), Tommy Womack (District II) and Bryan Clift (District I) taking the oath of office.

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