Soft Red Winter Wheat Breeding and Variety Development for Kentucky

Small grain production is an important component of Kentucky's agricultural.economy. New wheat, barley, and oat varieties are continually being developed by breeders. In order to maximize the profitability of small grain production, annual evaluation of varieties is needed to help fanners select varieties with superior agronomic performance. Grain yield and test weight, as well as straw and forage yield are directly related to crop income, but varietal traits, such as plant height, lodging potential, maturity, and disease resistance are also important management-related components of profitability. The UK Small Grain Variety Testing Program annually evaluates the agronomic perfonnance, general adaptability and pest resistance of small grain varieties grown in Kentucky. Support of the UK Small Grain Variety Testing program is essential for the programs long te1m sustainability, and ability to function and release a quality product annually to growers in a timely manner.